A Lot of People Don't Like Living in Arizona, Poll Says (2024)

FAQs

Do people enjoy living in Arizona? ›

Arizona's beautiful landscape makes it a popular year-round tourist destination. The beauty of the outdoors, the warm weather and the breathtaking sunsets make it hard to resist. More and more, people are drawn to the uniqueness of Arizona as a place to live to raise their families or retire.

The heat can get intense

Although the warm weather is a perk of living in Arizona, the extreme heat can also be a downside, especially during summer. The summer months in Arizona are extremely dry and can exceed average temperatures ranging from 90-120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Arizona had the highest percentage of inbound moves last year, according to moving company Allied Van Lines's annual migration report. Last year, 64.5 percent of moves in Arizona were inbound while 35.5 were outbound.

Is Arizona a good place to live? Arizona is one of the best places to start a new life. Most of the cities in the state are habitable when you consider human factors such as cost of living, job opportunities, and quality of health and education. Moreover, the state has an extensive transport network.

With nearly 700 retirement communities, Florida is truly a haven for seniors. It's helped by having no income or Social Security taxes, a higher retirement income than Arizona, a lower cost-of-living score and a stronger quality of Medicare and public safety.

2021, Arizona ranked 27th in WalletHub's report "Happiest States in America."

Arizona ranked 3rd in the Economic Performance category of the prestigious Rich States, Poor States report for 2023 by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

In addition to the cost of food, gas, other household necessities and medical care, the skyrocketing increase in housing costs, both rental and ownership, is creating an impossible situation for low- to moderate-income families.

Top states residents are leaving

The annual 2022 United Van Lines National Movers study is out! But it wasn't good news for New Jersey or New York. A similar report from United Van Lines showed New Jersey as the top outbound state, followed by Illinois, New York, Michigan, and Wyoming. The full list is below.

Californians move to Arizona for the lower cost of living. California has exorbitant housing, taxes, and utilities. Arizona has cheaper housing, utilities, and taxes. Arizona's lower cost of living allows many Californians to live better.

Why are people retiring in Arizona? ›

One of the most popular retirement destinations in the United States is Arizona. The warm weather, relatively amenable taxes and number of retirement communities make it an attractive destination for many older Americans. But, as with any state, there are drawbacks such as air quality and cost in some areas.

One of the most naturally beautiful towns in Arizona is Prescott. After all, it is known as one of the most picturesque in the state. The natural scenery surrounding the town includes pine forests, rocky terrain, canyons, lakes, and just about everything there is to love about Arizona landscapes.

The study is based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator, which uses the cost of housing, food, transportation, medical care and more. A Phoenix resident needs to make at least $32,835 to afford basic living expenses, or $38,043 before taxes, according to the calculator.

Even though the months of December through March are known for cool, comfortable temps, even April and May are cooler—at least 13 degrees cooler than in June. This could make the difference between an easy move and one punctuated by heat-related health issues. The heat can also do a number on your vehicle.

The summers in Arizona can be extremely hot, well into the double digits, sometimes past 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Florida summers are cooler, with temperatures ranging in the 90s, but this time of year is notorious for heavy rains and tropical storms.

About half of Arizona is semiarid, one-third is arid, and the remainder is humid. The Basin and Range region has the arid and semiarid subtropical climate that attracts most winter visitors and new residents.

Arizona has a 4.90 percent corporate income tax rate, a 5.60 percent state sales tax rate, a max local sales tax rate of 5.30 percent, and a 8.37 percent combined state and local sales tax rate. Arizona's tax system ranks 19th overall on our 2023 State Business Tax Climate Index.

Cities across the United States vary greatly in their environment, income, citizens' overall well-being and community. For 2023, California dominated the list of the happiest cities in America, while Fremont, California, topped the list for the second year in a row.

1. Finland: For the sixth year in a row, Finland is the world's happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report. Aleksanterinkatu (Aleksi Street) in Helsinki is pictured.

Massachusetts: “The Happiest State in the U.S.”

Our research studies reveal that the state of Massachusetts topped the rankings for 3 of our categories: Well-being, Mental Health, and Family, and featured in the top 11 states for three more: Health Care, Financial Security, and Work.

What are the 5 poorest state? ›

Arkansas. Arkansas holds the fifth position among the poorest states in the USA, with a poverty rate of 15.20%. Although the state has seen some economic growth in recent years, it continues to face challenges such as limited access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities.

Poverty rates were highest in the states of Mississippi (19.58%), Louisiana (18.65%), New Mexico (18.55%), West Virginia (17.10%), Kentucky (16.61%), and Arkansas (16.08%), and they were lowest in the states of New Hampshire (7.42%), Maryland (9.02%), Utah (9.13%), Hawaii (9.26%), and Minnesota (9.33%).

Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley is the richest city in Arizona. Located in the northeastern Phoenix metropolitan area, this city is known for its close proximity to the heart of the state capitol – about ten miles from downtown.

The report cites poor air quality, low public health funding, high crime rates and a lack of inclusiveness as its reasons for bestowing the worst-state status on Arizona in 2021.

Arizona is not living with its head in the sand

The Colorado River – once 40% of the state's water supply – is dwindling. About 80% of Arizona and about 20% of its population has no rules on groundwater pumping, which is draining many of our rural aquifers.

San Luis is Recognized as Safest City in Arizona For 2023

San Luis, Arizona — The City of San Luis was recognized as the safest city in Arizona for 2023 by SafeWise. The City of San Luis has earned a spot on this list since 2016.

Douglas. Douglas is the cheapest place to live in Arizona. This charming community sits on the border between Arizona and Mexico and is a great place for calm, quiet living.

Flagstaff weather is nothing like the rest of Arizona. Flagstaff enjoys all four seasons fully and completely: summer, fall, winter and spring.

What state is everyone moving to? ›

What States Are Americans Moving To? The most popular state people moved to in 2022 was Florida, while the state people most often moved from was California. Texas was the second-most popular state for Americans on the move, while North Carolina came in third.

One of the most popular states to move to in 2023 is Texas, and for good reason. This state boasts an impressive job market since it is home to many tech companies, startups, and artistic hubs.

Arizona's population reached 7.5 million, and it is projected to increase by another 1 million people by 2029. According to data from the United Van Lines Migration Study, Arizona ranks as the fourth most popular state for inbound migration in 2020, with almost 62% of moves being inbound.

Cost of Living

Living in Arizona is significantly less expensive than living in California. For example, people who live in Arizona get the advantage of cheaper groceries, transportation, utilities, and especially housing compared to those in California, where it is significantly higher.

This is because the Arizona vs. California cost of living rates are significantly lower in AZ. The cost of groceries is about 24% lower in Phoenix, housing is 69% down, utilities are 20% cheaper, transportation is 29% less, and healthcare is 28% cheaper.

Age: At least one property owner must be the minimum qualifying age of 65 at the time of application. Residence: The property must be the owner(s) primary residence.

Mesa. Although Mesa is not the cheapest city on this list, it has the highest percentage of people age 65 and older at 16.6% and the highest livability score.

Paradise Valley certainly earns its name, as the wealthiest city in Arizona and the richest zip code in Arizona. With a population of just 12,568, this suburb of Phoenix is known for its luxury resorts and high-end real estate. However, the town earned its name long before its reputation as a metaphorical gold mine.

Nestled in Maricopa County, Paradise Valley is the richest city in Arizona (and one of the richest in the country). Its quiet charm and privacy attract affluent business moguls, celebrities, sports figures, and residents looking for a private oasis.

What is the coolest city in AZ? ›

Ranked by maximum average temperature, Tucson is the coldest place in Arizona. Tucson's average maximum temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Located in the south-central part of the state, Tucson also gets more rain than any other city in Arizona (12 inches annually on average).

Leading the way in Arizona is Gilbert, where the median household income is $104,802, and a middle-class income ranges from $70,217 to $209,604. Next is Scottsdale, where the median household income is $99,097, and the middle-class income ranges from $66,395 to $198,194.

Monthly electric bills are a product of how much electricity you use per month and your electric rate. In Arizona, the average monthly electric bill for residential customers is $170/month, which is calculated by multiplying the average monthly consumption by the average electric rate: 1,089 kWh * 16 ¢/kWh.

In accordance with A.R.S. § 23-363(B), Arizona's minimum wage will increase from $12.80 to $13.85 effective January 1, 2023.

If you live in Arizona, you may be used to the heat already, but to tourists and visitors, Arizona can be unbearably hot, especially during the summer months. May to September is the hottest month for Arizona.

With around 313 sunny days per year, Phoenix, Arizona, is the sunniest place in the U.S. year-round.

The coldest part of the year is usually late December or early January, with highs in the 60s, lows in the 40s. A rare cold streak would be a high in the 50s, low in the upper 20s. Rain is statistically more common in the winter and spring, but with a yearly average of 7 inches, it's rare and does not last long.

One of the main reasons is the state's affordability. Compared to other major cities in the US, Arizona has a lower cost of living, making it an attractive destination for those looking to save money.

While this sprawling city may be stereotyped as a retirement paradise, it's actually so much more. Thanks to its warm weather, great job opportunities, growing population, and strong local economy, it's a popular spot for everyone — from young professionals to families to, yes, retirees.

Is Arizona still a cheap place to live? ›

Is Arizona a cheap state to live in? Arizona was ranked the second cheapest state to live in by SeniorList. Arizonans only spend about 70.5% of their income on bills, compared to the national average of 81%. This leaves plenty of room in their budgets for savings, investments, and fun money too.

Californians move to Arizona for the lower cost of living. California has exorbitant housing, taxes, and utilities. Arizona has cheaper housing, utilities, and taxes. Arizona's lower cost of living allows many Californians to live better.

Over the past half decade, families have been moving from California to Phoenix, AZ, at a shocking rate. In 2018, this particular move was the second most popular move in the United States. But for those looking to leave The Golden State, the options are endless.

Exhibit 1: Arizona Net Migration and Natural Increase

It's also clear that California sent by far the most migrants of any state.

Phoenix is the heart and soul of contemporary Arizona, but is better known for its unique desert landscapes, natural landmarks, and Mexican influences. Arizona's cuisine personifies a concoction of Western and Mexican blends, while Native American crafts are profoundly evident across the landscape.

Which state is more affordable? In short, Texas. The cost of living index and median housing prices are lower in Texas than in Arizona, but that also depends on the neighborhood you are in.