These Arizona cities rank among US best places to live

By Mignon A. Gould

Arizona has seven spots on the US News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Places to Live in the U.S. list.

The report ranked major U.S. cities based on value, desirability, job market and quality of life. Queen Creek (No. 93), Gilbert (No. 94), Marana (115) and Chandler (123) ranked in the top half, while Scottsdale (167), Sierra Vista (225) and Peoria (243) also made the list.

The home values for Queen Creek ($500,619), Gilbert ($474,661), Marana ($482,989), Scottsdale ($698,486) and Peoria ($459,372) are above the national average of $370,489, the study found. Meanwhile, Chandler ($358,011) and Sierra Vista ($238,571) are below.

In comparison, the median rental costs are $2,079 in Queen Creek, $2,059 in Gilbert, $1,631 in Scottsdale, $1,567 in Chandler, $1,534 in Peoria, $1,235 in Marana and $844 in Sierra Vista.

East Valley cities have been faring well in recent U.S. rankings. One study from StorageCafe revealed that Gilbert ranked No. 4 among the nation's fastest-growing cities. Meanwhile, Queen Creek, Gilbert and Chandler ranked among the top 35 cities in Arizona for small businesses, per a report from B2B Reviews.

For the 2025-2026 Best Places to Live rankings, U.S. News expanded its data to evaluate more than 850 cities, compared to 150 in previous years. The top overall 250 cities were published as this year’s best places to live. 

U.S. News slightly adjusted its weights to increase priority for a location’s job market amid heightened economic uncertainty, said Erika Giovanetti, the consumer lending analyst at U.S. News & World Report, in a statement. Giovanetti said the expanded rankings give consumers a more detailed view into what it’s like to live somewhere at the community level and provide them more options for places to settle down.

The new rankings also evaluated the best large, midsize and small cities. Mesa ranked No. 9 among the top 10 Best Big Cities to Live in the reports sub-rankings. Texas had the most cities in all size categories with five among big cities, six midsize cities and three small cities.

Johns Creek, Georgia received top nod on the 2025-2026 Best Places to Live in the U.S. list.

The methodology took into account a city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. These measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. to find what qualities they consider important in a place to live. Data was sourced from the U.S. News' internal resources, Applied Geographic Solutions, and U.S. government agencies including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Final Thoughts:

Arizona continues to shine on the national stage, with several cities ranked among the best places to live in the U.S. Whether you're drawn by job opportunities, housing value, or overall lifestyle, the East Valley and beyond offer diverse options to suit every need. From the family-friendly charm of Queen Creek and Gilbert to the upscale appeal of Scottsdale and the small-town affordability of Sierra Vista, Arizona provides a lifestyle that aligns with modern priorities. For out-of-state buyers considering a move, this is more than a list—it’s a signal that Arizona is not just growing, it's thriving. The opportunity to plant roots in a well-ranked, community-focused city has never looked more promising.