Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Arizona
Arizona for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Arizona ranks #29 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 38/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. With 38.6% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Arizona's environment score of 26/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 45) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 101) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (49/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (35/100) is adequate, though access to specialized sports medicine may be limited outside metros.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # | City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts Score | Overall | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Creek | A+ | 55.9 | 67.6 | 38 | 26 | 92 | 76,046 |
| 2 | Surprise | A | 54.4 | 61.6 | 38 | 26 | 91 | 158,282 |
| 3 | Gilbert | A | 53.9 | 62.8 | 38 | 26 | 92 | 275,408 |
| 4 | Goodyear | A | 53.8 | 63.0 | 38 | 26 | 85 | 111,807 |
| 5 | Buckeye | A | 53.1 | 60.8 | 38 | 26 | 89 | 108,900 |
| 6 | Chandler | B | 51.9 | 55.7 | 38 | 26 | 85 | 280,171 |
| 7 | Scottsdale | A | 51.8 | 60.4 | 38 | 26 | 79 | 244,421 |
| 8 | Maricopa | B | 50.9 | 54.5 | 38 | 26 | 85 | 71,021 |
| 9 | Peoria | B+ | 50.6 | 56.8 | 38 | 26 | 83 | 198,753 |
| 10 | Flagstaff | B | 49.6 | 53.0 | 38 | 26 | 65 | 76,595 |
| 11 | Lake Havasu City | C+ | 49.6 | 52.0 | 38 | 26 | 80 | 58,037 |
| 12 | Mesa | C+ | 48.3 | 52.7 | 38 | 26 | 67 | 511,624 |
| 13 | Avondale | B | 47.1 | 53.3 | 38 | 26 | 59 | 93,555 |
| 14 | Tempe | C+ | 46.7 | 52.6 | 38 | 26 | 49 | 189,839 |
| 15 | Tucson | C | 45.7 | 47.8 | 38 | 26 | 57 | 547,232 |
| 16 | Casas Adobes | C | 45.7 | 46.7 | 38 | 26 | 49 | 70,641 |
| 17 | Yuma | D | 45.3 | 44.3 | 38 | 26 | 66 | 100,861 |
| 18 | Glendale | C | 44.5 | 48.8 | 38 | 26 | 49 | 253,868 |
| 19 | Phoenix | C | 43.9 | 49.3 | 38 | 26 | 39 | 1,650,051 |
| 20 | San Tan Valley | C | 43.8 | 49.2 | 38 | 26 | 49 | 119,497 |