Moving to a Phoenix suburb doesn’t have to mean you’re about to retire. In fact, we’re happy to debunk that myth.
There are plenty of Phoenix suburbs that are perfect for young couples who are just starting their lives together, and with the help of local Movoto real estate agent Ron DeCoste and data from the
U.S. Census,
AreaVibes, and
PlayScore.
These are the best Phoenix suburbs to live in if you’re a young couple:
1. Gilbert
Key Stats:
- Median household income: $80,355
- High school graduation rate: 94 percent
- Movoto Agent Pick
Gilbert tops our list of Phoenix suburbs with a strong recommendation from local real estate agent Ron DeCoste who said, “Gilbert is has so much to offer young couples getting ready to start a family.”
Southwest style single family homes are perfect for young couples with children, while updated condos with onsite amenities like pools and recreation rooms are a great fit for young couples without.
“The town has taken the time to plan out beautiful tree lined corridors that make you feel like you are living in another part of the country,” said DeCoste. “Downtown has so many choices of eateries, shops, a farmers market, with a family atmosphere that cannot be found in any other Phoenix suburb.”
2. Chandler
Key Stats:
- Residents age 22-34: 18.9 percent
- Movoto Agent Pick
Chandler is full of affordable modern condos and starter homes, perfect for young couples looking for their first house.
This city of over 240,000 residents has plenty of amenities for young couples to enjoy. Browse art at a local gallery like Uptown Art or Chandler Center for the Arts, grab a drink at SanTan Brewing Company, or plan a dinner date at gastropub NOSH Arizona.
Chandler also has several city parks and public pools, perfect for enjoying that beautiful Arizona weather.
3. Peoria
Key Stats:
- Crimes per 100k: 2,527
- Movoto Agent Pick
Housing ranges from modern condos and starter homes, to large southwest style homes on large lots with room to grow.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is the perfect spot to enjoy Arizona’s beautiful weather with a hike or a day on the water.
Young couples who prefer indoor activities have their pick of shopping, dining, and nightlife. Plan a dinner date at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, shop major retailers at Park West Mall, or watch the game and grab drinks at local sports bar, The Moon Saloon.
With a lower crime rate than surrounding areas, Peoria is also one of the safest suburbs of Phoenix.
4. Scottsdale
Key Stats:
- High school graduation rate: 95 percent
- Movoto Agent Pick
Scottsdale also earned a nod from DeCoste, making it another Movoto Agent Pick. Young couples in Scottsdale can choose from modern and southwest style homes.
Young couples who want shopping, dining, and nightlife in their backyard will find it in Downtown Scottsdale. Tap into your artsy side at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art or the Heard Museum. Nightlife enthusiasts can grab drinks at the Citizen Public House or Scottsdale Beer Company.
The Old Town Farmers’ Market, ArtBridge Thursdays, Food Truck Caravan, and other lively regular events are the perfect opportunity for young couples to meet their neighbors.
5. Tempe
Key Stats:
- Population 22-34: 28.7 percent
- PlayScore rating: 80 out of 100
- Movoto Agent Pick
Tempe offers modern condos with amenities on site and new construction single family homes.
See live music or a show at the Tempe Center for the Arts, or plan a dinner date at local Italian eatery, Postino Annex. Nightlife enthusiasts will love Four Peaks Brewing Company or British style pub Cornish Pastry Company.
The Tempe Marketplace provides convenient shopping and dining for residents, and live music on weekends.
6. Cave Creek
Key Stats:
- Residents married: 70.7 percent
- High school graduation rate: 96 percent
Cave Creek provides a unique rural lifestyle without sacrificing plenty of amenities.
Home buyers have their choice of modern condos and single family homes with beautiful mountain views.
Grab dinner at the Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse, or gallery hop from The Ranch, to Saddle Up Gallery, to Blue Coyote, and more.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking through Cave Creek Regional Park. An old-fashioned frontier town adds plenty of local charm to this suburb.
7. Carefree
Key Stats:
- Crimes per 100k: 739
- High school graduation rate: 97 percent
Carefree isn’t just one of the best Phoenix suburbs for young couples. With the second lowest crime rate of any suburb we ranked, it’s also one of the safest suburbs of Phoenix.
If you’re looking for room to grow and space to spread out, you’ll find plenty of homes to suit your needs. Southwestern style homes on large lots are common.
Local restaurants like Cafe Bink and the English Rose Tea Room are perfect spots for dinner and lunch dates, or you can plan a special evening out at Cellar 13 Wine Bar.
8. Rio Verde
Key Stats:
- Residents married: 81 percent
- Median household income: $99,479
- Crimes per 100k: 545
- High school graduation rate: 99 percent
If you’re looking for the safest suburbs of Phoenix to settle down in, Rio Verde is number one with the lowest crime rate of any place we ranked.
Beautiful constructed townhomes and single-family homes with mountain views and pristine yards are common.
Surrounded by parks and wilderness, Rio Verde is the perfect spot for an active young couple. Hike, ride horses, or camp at McDowell Mountain Regional Park or Four Peaks Wilderness Area.
9. Fountain Hills
Key Stats:
- High school graduation rate: 95 percent
- Residents married: 62.8 percent
Fountain Hills is the best of both worlds: gorgeous desert living and plenty of amenities. Chic modern condos with mountain views and on site pools are great for young people just starting out, but single family homes are also common if you need room to grow.
Young couples who want a balance of indoor and outdoor activities will be drawn to this suburb. Fountain Hills is just a quick drive away from the McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Four Peaks Wilderness Area, but has more restaurants, shopping, and nightlife than neighboring Rio Verde.
Enjoy public art and beautiful weather by strolling through the Fountain Hills Art Walk, or plan a dinner date at the Saddle Bronc Grill.
10. Goodyear
Key Stats:
<- PlayScore rating: 76 out of 100
Goodyear rounds out our list of best Phoenix suburbs for young couples. There are many modern condos with on site amenities and single-family homes with room to grow.
Young couples can explore the beautiful desert landscape at the 20,000 acre Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Grab a delicious breakfast at Express Donuts, or plan a dinner date at Royal Jasmine Thai Restaurant.
Baseball fans can catch the Cincinnati Reds or the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark.
Our Methodology
To create this list, we looked at the following criteria of important things for young couples:
Percentage of residents age 22-34
Percentage of residents married
Median household income
Median home value
Total crimes per 100k
PlayScore rating
High school graduation rate
We ranked each Phoenix suburb in each of those categories using data. We also got input from local Movoto real estate agent Ron DeCoste. We gave bonus points to his favorite picks for young couples and noted those suburbs as Movoto Agent Picks.
Then we averaged the scores into one overall score. The suburbs with the lowest overall scores made up our 10 best Phoenix suburbs for young couples.
Want to see how the other Phoenix suburbs measured up? Check out the table below.
Featured image source: Marbles Kids Museum via Facebook
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