{"id":27636,"date":"2025-07-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=27636"},"modified":"2025-07-24T13:44:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T17:44:06","slug":"living-in-phoenix-what-to-know-before-making-the-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.cubesmart.dev\/blog\/post\/living-in-phoenix-what-to-know-before-making-the-move\/","title":{"rendered":"Living in Phoenix: What to Know Before Making the Move"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Free image via usa.reisen.magazin<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not the biggest fan of the cold, snowy winters, and cloudy days, you’re in luck. Phoenix gets around 3,872 hours<\/a> of sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest and warmest cities in the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bright<\/em> future isn’t the only pull to living in the Valley of the Sun. The job market is steadily growing, the cost of living is reasonable, and Phoenix has a wealth of outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what you need to know if you’re considering a move to the Grand Canyon State. We’ll discuss housing costs, the job market, neighborhoods, and lifestyle considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost of Living and Housing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The cost of living in Phoenix<\/a> is 10% lower than the state average and 6% higher than the national average. The median household income is $77,041. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Comparison with Other Major Cities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In comparison to the rest of Arizona, the cost of living in Phoenix is moderate. Arizona is home to a melting pot of income levels and housing markets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put it into perspective, Paradise Valley is 60% higher than the national average, while Flagstaff lags behind at only 13% higher. With Phoenix at 10% lower than the national average, it’s an attractive choice for new residents, especially given the level of amenities available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For other major cities, the cost of living in Phoenix is approximately 30% lower than in Los Angeles and 37% lower than in New York City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting vs. Buying in Phoenix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Phoenix housing market varies depending on the neighborhood. However, Redfin<\/em><\/a> reports that as of May 2025, the market is relaxing in favor of the buyer. The median sale price currently sits at $450,000,  nearly a 3% dip from last year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Arizona’s Family<\/em><\/a>, as of 2025, there are about 34% more sellers than buyers, and housing inventory has increased by approximately 50% compared to last year. Homes are spending about seven more days on the market, with the number of homes sold slightly decreasing from 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the rental market, Zillow<\/em><\/a> <\/em>reports that the average rent price across all property types in Phoenix is $1,975, a slight decrease from the year before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of whether you should rent versus buy, this all depends on your personal goals and lifestyle intentions for moving to Phoenix. Many people will rent for a year or so before deciding to buy, but there is something to be said for taking advantage of the current buyer’s market in Phoenix.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job Market and Economy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In late 2024, the Greater <\/em>Phoenix Economic Council<\/em><\/a> <\/em>reported that non-farm jobs increased by 33,500 from 2023. Healthcare is now the fastest-growing industry in Phoenix, accounting for 14% of the local economy, up from 8% in 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After healthcare, the largest industry in Phoenix is professional services, with one out of every six jobs available in this sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Job Seekers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re job hunting before or after the move, start with local job boards and networking groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your resume is concise and easy to read. Save your resume in PDF format; this file type plays best with most hiring software programs. PDFs also keep URLs to portfolios or websites live when opened in a supported PDF viewer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your portfolio up-to-date and easy to navigate. Ensure reviews, testimonials, and references are clearly laid out, regularly updated, and linked correctly if hosted on a third-party website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Neighborhoods in Phoenix to Consider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Free image via ourblocks<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Phoenix is part of the Phoenix\u2013Mesa\u2013Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Maricopa and Pinal counties. There are many cities and towns within the MSA to choose from, each offering something unique to locals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are our top four:<\/p>\n\n\n\n