10 Best Places To Call Home In Arizona In 2025
Arizona is more than just desert and cacti; it’s a place where you can sip coffee under a pink sunrise, hike red rock trails before lunch, and watch the sunset paint the mountains gold by dinner. You get big scenery without the big-city chaos, four seasons in some areas, and enough quirky small towns to keep weekends interesting. The cost of living can be easier on your wallet than in other Western states, and you’re never far from a trailhead, a taco stand, or a view that makes you stop and just breathe it in. If you’re ready to relocate for more sunshine, open spaces, and a little adventure in your life, Arizona might be the perfect place for you to call home.
Cottonwood
About 100 miles north of Phoenix, Cottonwood sits along the Verde River with a mix of history, outdoor fun, and a laid-back arts scene. The town's median home price is about $450,000 according to real estate website Realtor.com. The town’s position on the Verde River makes it a great place for hiking, fishing, and birding, especially at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Wander Old Town’s Main Street, lined with shops, restaurants, and wine bars. Don’t miss the Copper Art Museum, home to the country’s largest collection of copper art, a nod to Arizona’s role in producing 65% of the nation’s copper. Nearby, take a scenic drive to explore Mingus Mountain and haunted Jerome in the Verde Valley.
Sierra Vista
Sierra Vista, just north of the US-Mexico border, has a median home price of about $300,000, according to Zillow. Known as the “Hummingbird Capital of the U.S.,” it’s a bird-watcher’s paradise, with trails in Ramsey Canyon and along the San Pedro River. Fort Huachuca adds economic stability and unique attractions like the Buffalo Soldier Museum, the Military Intelligence Museum, and horseback rides at the Buffalo Corral Riding Stables. The nearby towns of Tombstone and Bisbee bring Wild West history to life, making Sierra Vista a rare mix of nature, history, and small-town warmth.
Douglas
Douglas offers a quiet, small-town life and a growing art scene, with a median home price of just $174,000, less than half of the state median. History is everywhere, such as the stained-glass mural at the Gadsden Hotel. You can tour unique museums like the Border Air Museum in the 1929 airport terminal, the Douglas-Williams House with its local photography collection, and the Slaughter Ranch Museum, a preserved late-1800s homestead. Downtown’s quirky art vibe is anchored by Art Car World, where cars become rolling works of art. Just outside of town, trails at the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge offer a peaceful escape.
Florence
Florence, one of the oldest towns in Pinal County, offers small-town living at a median home price of about $340,000. Life moves at a slower pace here, with friendly neighbors and scenic views. The National Historic District features more than 25 historic buildings, including late-1800s adobe structures along Main Street. You can visit the Pinal County Historical Museum to see agricultural equipment, retired fire vehicles, and a homestead cottage, the McFarland State Historic Park, St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, and the nearby Casa Grande Ruins National Monument to see how people used to live here. Local favorites include wine tasting at Windmill Winery and taking in views of the Superstition Mountains.
Eloy
Eloy, midway between Phoenix and Tucson, is a growing small town known for its outdoor adventures. Median home prices are about $262,000, according to Zillow. Its biggest claim to fame is Skydive Arizona, the self-proclaimed world’s skydiving capital, where thrill-seekers can free-fall outdoors or try the indoor facility.
On the ground, the action continues at Eloy Raceway with drag racing events, or at OnTrack BMX, where kids can race mountain bikes. For a slower pace, tour the Stage Station and Homestead Historical Site, enjoy Mexican and local fare in downtown cafes, or head to Ironwood Forest National Monument for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and camping.
Globe
Globe, Arizona, offers small-town living with historic charm and a median home price of $236,000, according to Zillow. Set in the foothills of the Pinal Mountains, it’s a gateway to outdoor adventures like hiking in the Tonto National Forest, fishing on the San Carlos River, and exploring mountain trails nearby.
The town’s mining heritage runs deep, with the Old Dominion Copper Mine, one of the oldest in the Gila Valley, and the Miami Copper Mine Museum, which tells the story of Arizona’s copper boom. In historic downtown, many original buildings still stand, including the Old Globe Hotel and Globe Union Bank. After exploring, you can savor a mix of Mexican, Spanish, and Native American flavors at local restaurants and cafes.
Coolidge
Coolidge blends an affordable small-town living with a deep sense of history. Its median home price is about $279,000, per Zillow. The town is home to the ancient Hohokam ruins at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, the first site in the United States to receive protected status in 1892. You can also explore Arizona’s mining and mineral heritage at the Pinal Geology and Mineral Museum.
Locals enjoy a walkable community with farmers' markets, festivals, and parks like Memorial Park. Outdoor lovers can bike or hike the six-mile Sonoqui Wash Trail through pristine desert, and birdwatchers flock to Catalina State Park for its variety of species. The Aritsan Village offers galleries, workshops, and classes, while the Coolidge Performing Arts Center hosts live shows year-round.
Safford
Situated between the Pinaleño Mountains and the desert, Safford gives residents an affordable small-town lifestyle with endless outdoor options. Median home price average $282,000, according to Zillow. The historic downtown is lined with boutiques, antique shops, and artisan stores. Food lovers can follow Arizona’s Salsa Trail, sampling from over a dozen of authentic Mexican restaurants, a family-owned tortilla factory, and a local chile farm.
Clear skies make Safford a prime spot for stargazing at Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus or the Mount Graham International Observatory. A scenic drive along the Mount Graham Scenic Byway offers stunning mountain views. Outdoor adventures include hiking Mount Graham trails, fishing at Riggs Lake, floating the Gila River, and relaxing in nearby mineral springs. The Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area draws off-road enthusiasts, while birdwatchers head to the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area to spot over 140 species.
Kingman
Kingman offers small-town living along historic Route 66 with a median home price of $273,000, reports Zillow. Its downtown is filled with vintage storefronts, local shops, and cafes, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Route 66 Museum in the historic Powerhouse tells the story of the “Mother Road,” while the Mohave Museum of History and Arts covers Native American heritage, mining, and western history. Railroad history runs deep here, with exhibits at the Kingman Railroad Station and Museum and Kingman Locomotive Park. Residents enjoy farmers' markets, local craft breweries, distilleries, and nearby wineries in Valle Vista.
Surrounded by desert and mountains, Kingman is a base for outdoor adventures. Trails like the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area and White Cliffs Wagon Trail offer scenic hiking and biking. The Hualapai Mountains provide cooler weather and forest hikes, while Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers boating and fishing. Popular day trips include Hoover Dam, Oatman’s wild burros, and the Grand Canyon Skywalk. At night, Kingman’s dark skies are perfect for stargazing.
Winslow
Winslow offers small-town living with a rich railroad and Route 66 history, and a median home price of $199,000, according to Zillow. Its downtown is famous for the “Standin’ on the Corner” Park, honoring the Eagles’ song, and the historic La Posada Hotel & Gardens, the only hotel in America with its own Amtrak depot. Visitors can explore the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site or the Old Trails Museum, which covers Native American heritage and the Santa Fe Railway era. Wilsow also hosts community events, farmers' markets, and local art displays.
Outdoor attractions are just minutes away. Homolovi State Park offers hiking among ancient Hopi ruins, while Clear Creek Reservoir is a favorite for kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Day trips include Meteor Crater, the Petrified Forest National Park, Little Painted Desert County Park, and Rock Art Ranch, home to some of the best-preserved petroglyphs in the world. With wide-open skies, Winslow is also ideal for stargazing.
Arizona’s small towns each bring their history, scenery, and character, whether you want a quiet desert escape, mountain trails, or a place rooted in culture. From copper mining heritage in Globe to Route 66 nostalgia in Kingman, from Winslow’s railroad past to Coolidge’s ancient ruins, these communities offer more than just a lower cost of living. They give you room to breathe, space to explore, and a sense of connection that’s hard to find in bigger cities. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, history, or a fresh start, you can find your home in Arizona.
