Arizona is a lot more than cacti and deserts. The state offers a diverse environment that ranges from lowland desert to tundra! In fact, snow is common up north near Flagstaff. Aside from the scenery, Arizona boasts a diverse cultural experience with various cuisines and outdoor activities to enjoy.
If you’re thinking about settling down in Arizona but are hesitant due to the rising housing market, you’ve come to the right place! Finding the perfect home on a budget doesn’t have to be painful, and we can help. It takes less than ten minutes to find out what you can afford with a pre-approval. Then, once you know your budget, check out these affordable places to start looking for your dream home!
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Sun City
A suburb northwest of Phoenix, this area is great for retirees. Sun City grew from only 27 residents when they established their first post office in 1888. Its population now exceeds 170,000!
The average home in this area costs around $243,000, according to recent Zillow estimates. Although mostly retirees occupy the area, young families have recently started moving in. The commute is similar to many Phoenix metro suburbs, and the Peoria Unified School District has an excellent reputation.
Sun City residents can enjoy the quiet that comes with a retirement community with the excitement of city life only a short drive away! With outdoor activities like hiking the new River Trail and West Wing Mountain Reserve along with the nearby Peoria Sports Complex, there’s something for everyone!
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Nogales/Rio Rico
Moving southeast towards the US/Mexico border, Nogales is known as the crossroads community. This border town is where cultures come together. Its dark skies are beautiful at night, and the town’s historic downtown is a huge draw. On average, a home in Nogales will cost around $150,000.
Nogales features nearby attractions such as the Pimeria Alta Museum and Pena Blanca Lake. You can also take a short trip across the border for some fun in Mexico! For families, the Nogales Unified School District sports a solid education system.
Being only a short drive from the larger Tucson, Arizona, Nogales is worth considering if you are looking for something away from the hustle and bustle of city life while still wanting to be close enough to visit.
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Casa Grande
If you blink, you might miss this quaint town on the way up or down the I-10. Casa Grande has a population of only 60,000, but it lives up to its name, meaning “big house” in Spanish, with many large affordable properties at an average of $257,000.
Casa Grande also continues to grow, bringing in new large businesses like LUCID Electric Car and Frito-Lay. However, one of the more popular attractions in the city is its massive outlet mall where most families do their shopping.
Other attractions include the Museum of Casa Grande, which takes you through the town’s history, or the Casa Grande National Monument, an ancient structure that still dominates the landscape.
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Bullhead City
Known as the Arizona Tri-State Area, this place is uniquely centered between California, Nevada, and Arizona. The Colorado River also bisects this city, giving you access to waterfront property in Arizona!
Although it’s one of the least populated cities in Arizona at only 40,000, the city continues to grow. Bullhead City is the economic hub and retail shopping center for nearby Western Mohave County and Southeastern Clark County. You can’t argue the location benefits at only a short drive from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix!
Homes in this area, on average, cost $253,000. Aside from the shopping, as mentioned earlier, Bullhead City features some great outdoor activities like taking a stroll along the Riverwalk or visiting the Colorado River Nature Center or Museum. In addition, the Colorado River School District makes Bullhead City great for families and an excellent place to consider settling down for anyone on a budget.
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Mayer
By far the smallest city on this list, Mayer is known as a ghost town. Why would you want to buy a house in a ghost town? However, if you value tranquility, vast, starry night skies, and community, you might want to consider a ghost town. The population in Mayer is less than 2,000 people, making it a very close community.
Mayer’s history is also the main selling point as it has several sites that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. While there may not be any significant attractions or shopping centers nearby, the land is cheap. Purchasing land to build your dream home may be worth it for those on a budget. Also, with vast tracts of land separating much of the town, you get your privacy!
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Coolidge
Coolidge is almost seven times larger than Mayer, but that isn’t saying much! With a population of only 13,000, this area sits around 45 minutes from Phoenix. That being said, Coolidge offers plenty to do in itself.
The city remains Arizona’s cotton industry hub to this day, and Coolidge’s hometown spirit shows through its community events. With festivals like Cotton Days, Calvin Coolidge Days, Coolidge Airport Fly-In Breakfast, and Christmas in the Park/Electric Light Parade, you’re sure to find something interesting to do!
It’s far enough from Phoenix to offer big-city amenities while maintaining the small-town charm. Coolidge may be your paradise just outside of the big city.
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Mesa
One of Phoenix’s suburbs, Mesa is part of the Phoenix Metro area, meaning it’s a short freeway drive away from all that the city has to offer. Sitting just east of Tempe, this is also one of the most expensive areas on the list, but not compared to the rest of Phoenix.
There are plenty of affordable homes in the area, but on average, homes cost around $338,000. Mesa is also one of the largest cities on this list, with a population of 500,000. Because of its proximity to Phoenix, the job market in Mesa offers various opportunities, especially if you’re willing to commute to one of the other suburbs.
Being part of the big city, entertainment won’t be a problem. With shopping malls, aquariums, paddle boat rentals, river rafting, museums, and local bars and restaurants all only a short drive away, you might find yourself very busy!
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Tolleson/Phoenix
On the opposite, west side of Phoenix, sits Tolleson. This small town sits right next to Phoenix, making it excellent for commuters. However, the active community makes this small town great for families as well. With events like the Latin Jazz Festival, Mariachi Festival, Whoopee Daze, and Music Fest, Tolleson knows how to throw a party!
Aside from the year-round events, the area has many attractions nearby. The Avondale shopping center offers various shops of interest. If sports are more your thing, the nearby State Farm Stadium is home to the Arizona Cardinals, and across the freeway is a TopGolf location.
The average price of a home in Tolleson is around $270,000, which, for many, is well worth the cost to be so close to the city but still enjoy a small-town aesthetic.
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Guadalupe
Guadalupe is where three cultures flourish together. It is the center of Yaqui culture and sits right across from the South Mountain Park Reserve. Being slightly south of Tempe, it is also located at the center of the Phoenix Metro area.
While small with a population of only 6,000 people, there is a lot to do in the area. For example, you could hike the popular trails of the South Mountain Preserve or hang out at the Arizona Mills Mall and visit the Legoland Discovery Center and Sealife Aquarium.
Nestled between Chandler, Ahwatukee, Tempe, and Phoenix, this area has a lot to offer for any family.
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Buckeye
If you’ve driven into Phoenix from the I-10 or AZ-85, you’ve likely driven through Buckeye. Slightly farther from Phoenix than Tolleson, Buckeye has seen much growth in the last few years. According to the latest estimates, Buckeye has a population of 80,000, with new home construction seeing a rise.
There is a lot to do in the area, with Westgate Shopping Center nearby and Downtown Phoenix a mere 30 miles away. Buckeye is also ideal for families with excellent schools, including the Agua Fria Union School District and the Buckeye School District.
While average home prices are at an all-time high of $325,000, the homes in this area are large and typically newer constructions. So if you want the convenience of the big city nearby but a slower day-to-day experience, Buckeye may be the place for you and your family to settle down.
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In Conclusion
Arizona is a fantastic place to live with its incredibly diverse scenery and culture. If you’re thinking about purchasing a property in Arizona, On Q Financial, LLC can help. We can get you a free, no-obligatiOn Q Financial, LLCuote in less than ten minutes, so you know what you can afford. With Arizona home prices at an all-time high, you don’t want to wait! Our mortgage experts will make sure you get the best deal possible!
*This material is provided for information and educational purposes only. All information was sourced through Census.gov using the American Community Survey (2019) and Zillow Housing Data.