Best Cities for Remote Workers in Arizona
Arizona for Remote Workers: The Full Picture
Arizona ranks #35 out of 50 for remote workers β a state where remote workers may face some headwinds. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. Arizona's cost of living (index: 101) is near the national average, so a remote salary doesn't gain or lose much purchasing power here.
The high work-from-home rate of 14.3% suggests an established remote work culture with coworking spaces and digital infrastructure already in place. Broadband coverage is excellent at 94.5%, so reliable internet shouldn't be a concern.
Taxes are moderate at 8.22% of income β not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 61/100) is adequate β the median home costs $455,000, which may require a strong remote salary to afford comfortably.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # | City | Grade | Remote Workers Score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Outdoor Access | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Creek | A+ | 65.7 | 67.6 | 54 | 86 | 38 | 76,046 |
| 2 | Goodyear | A | 61.5 | 63.0 | 61 | 69 | 38 | 111,807 |
| 3 | Buckeye | A | 60.2 | 60.8 | 63 | 66 | 38 | 108,900 |
| 4 | Surprise | A | 59.8 | 61.6 | 62 | 63 | 38 | 158,282 |
| 5 | Maricopa | B | 58.4 | 54.5 | 63 | 58 | 38 | 71,021 |
| 6 | Gilbert | A | 58.3 | 62.8 | 57 | 80 | 38 | 275,408 |
| 7 | Chandler | B | 54.4 | 55.7 | 60 | 72 | 38 | 280,171 |
| 8 | Scottsdale | A | 53.8 | 60.4 | 52 | 73 | 38 | 244,421 |
| 9 | Peoria | B+ | 53.1 | 56.8 | 62 | 68 | 38 | 198,753 |
| 10 | Avondale | B | 53.1 | 53.3 | 65 | 61 | 38 | 93,555 |
| 11 | Mesa | C+ | 51.0 | 52.7 | 66 | 60 | 38 | 511,624 |
| 12 | San Tan Valley | C | 50.9 | 49.2 | 63 | 62 | 38 | 119,497 |
| 13 | Lake Havasu City | C+ | 49.5 | 52.0 | 70 | 50 | 38 | 58,037 |
| 14 | Casas Adobes | C | 48.8 | 46.7 | 67 | 45 | 38 | 70,641 |
| 15 | Flagstaff | B | 48.5 | 53.0 | 64 | 56 | 38 | 76,595 |
| 16 | Tempe | C+ | 48.5 | 52.6 | 63 | 66 | 38 | 189,839 |
| 17 | Phoenix | C | 48.5 | 49.3 | 66 | 60 | 38 | 1,650,051 |
| 18 | Glendale | C | 47.7 | 48.8 | 67 | 54 | 38 | 253,868 |
| 19 | Tucson | C | 47.0 | 47.8 | 75 | 47 | 38 | 547,232 |
| 20 | Yuma | D | 45.1 | 44.3 | 78 | 18 | 38 | 100,861 |