Phoenix, Arizona, a Southwestern paradise, has risen in popularity for those looking to live in the region. With excellent sports teams, a plethora of delicious food options, and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder Phoenix is also home to about 2 million people. The city is rising in popularity and price, so if you’re considering buying a home in Phoenix, know that the housing market is very competitive. The median home sale price is $470,000, and the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Phoenix is $1,650.
If that price is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve rounded up a list of the eight best affordable Phoenix suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 40-minute drive from the city. Keep reading to see if one of these Phoenix suburbs is right for you.
#1: Sun City
Median home price: $325,000
Driving distance from Phoenix: 25 minutes
Sun City, AZ homes for sale
Sun City, AZ apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $325,000, Sun City is the most affordable Phoenix suburb on our list. Just about a 25-minute drive from Phoenix, you won’t miss out on what the city offers. Living in Sun City, you can spend time exploring Willow Creek Golf Course or Lakeview Recreation Center.
#2: Apache Junction
Median home price: $389,500
Driving distance from Phoenix: 35 minutes
Apache Junction, AZ homes for sale
Apache Junction, AZ apartments for rent
Apache Junction is just a little more expensive than Sun City. About 35 minutes from Phoenix, you’ll be touring Desert Botanical Garden in just a quick drive. Living in Apache Junction, make sure to explore Lost Dutchman State Park and check out Lakeview Recreation Center. When living in this suburb of 45,000 people, you can also explore the Goldfield Ghost Town and the Superstition Mountain Museum.
#3: El Mirage
Median home price: $417,000
Driving distance from Phoenix: 35 minutes
El Mirage, AZ homes for sale
El Mirage, AZ apartments for rent
If living in Phoenix isn’t for you, just 35 minutes away from downtown, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of El Mirage. From parks and outdoor recreation to supporting local businesses, many things make El Mirage a great place to live. Make sure to visit Gateway Park if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
#4: Avondale (tie)
Median home price: $450,000
Driving distance from Phoenix: 20 minutes
Avondale, AZ homes for sale
Avondale, AZ apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than El Mirage is the suburb of Avondale. With roughly 95,000 residents in this Phoenix suburb, make sure to stop by Friendship Park for an afternoon of fun. Don’t forget to check out the Valley Golf Center.
#5: Buckeye (tie)
Median home price: $450,000
Driving distance from Phoenix: 40 minutes
Buckeye, AZ homes for sale
Buckeye, AZ apartments for rent
Drive 40 minutes outside Phoenix, and you’ll find the suburb of Buckeye, another great area to add to your list. With 10,000 people living in this affordable area, Buckeye is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Phoenix without paying the premium for a home in the city. In Buckeye, you’ll find Skyline Regional Park and the historic Gillespie Dam Bridge.
#6: Glendale (tie)
Median home price: $450,000
Driving distance from Phoenix: 20 minutes
Glendale, AZ homes for sale
Glendale, AZ apartments for rent
Another noteworthy Phoenix suburb is Glendale, where the median home sale price is similar to Avondale and Buckeye. With just about 260,000 people living in Glendale, it’s a great suburb to consider moving to. There are many activities to do in this suburb, like checking out a Cardinals football game a The University of Phoenix Stadium or visiting Westgate Entertainment District.
#7: Surprise
Median home price: $470,500
Driving distance from Phoenix: 40 minutes
Surprise, AZ homes for sale
Surprise, AZ apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable Phoenix suburbs is Surprise, which is about 40 minutes away from the downtown. The median home sale price is comparable to Phoenix’s, but with a population of only 135,000, making Surprise a smaller and quieter area to live in. If you are moving to this suburb, visit Surprise Aquatic Center and explore the Surprise Stadium.
#8: Mesa
Median home price: $479,000
Driving distance from Phoenix: 25 minutes
Mesa, AZ homes for sale
Mesa, AZ apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in or around Phoenix for some time, you may know our eighth suburb – Mesa. While Mesa’s median sale price is slightly more expensive than Phoenix’s, this great suburb is still worth highlighting. About 600,000 people live in Mesa, so you’ll have a fraction of Phoenix’s population while remaining only 25 minutes from the city. Make sure to visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History, Golfland Sunsplash, and Mesa Arts Center once you move to Mesa.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Phoenix and under a 40-minute drive from downtown Phoenix. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2022. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
