Best counties to live in Arizona

Written by:
June 17, 2021
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Best counties to live in Arizona

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Arizona using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

#6. Graham County

- Population: 37,996
- Median home value: $138,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $769 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $51,353
- Top public schools: Discovery Plus Academy (A), Ruth Powell Elementary School (B+), Thatcher High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Safford Christian Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Thatcher (A), Safford (B), Pima (B)

#5. Coconino County

- Population: 141,274
- Median home value: $280,900 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,181 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $59,460
- Top public schools: BASIS Flagstaff (A+), Montessori Charter School of Flagstaff - Campus (A), Haven Montessori Charter School (A)
- Top private schools: San Francisco de Asis Catholic School (unavailable), Flagstaff Community Christian School (unavailable), Mt. Calvary Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Flagstaff (B+), Page (B), Kachina Village (B)

#4. Cochise County

- Population: 125,867
- Median home value: $146,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $783 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $49,260
- Top public schools: General Myer Elementary School (A), Cochise Elementary School (A), Pomerene Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Veritas Christian Community School (B+), Loretto Catholic School (unavailable), First Baptist Christian Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Sierra Vista (A), Benson (B), Bisbee (B)

#3. Pima County

- Population: 1,027,207
- Median home value: $184,100 (63% own)
- Median rent: $907 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $53,379
- Top public schools: BASIS Oro Valley (A+), BASIS Tucson North (A+), University High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Gregory School (A+), Salpointe Catholic High School (A), Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (A)
- Top places to live: Broadmoor-Broadway (A+), Highland Vista Cinco Via (A+), Catalina Foothills (A+)

#2. Greenlee County

- Population: 9,522
- Median home value: $83,800 (49% own)
- Median rent: $466 (51% rent)
- Median household income: $63,473
- Top public schools: Metcalf Elementary School (B+), Fairbanks Middle School (B+), Morenci High School (B)
- Top places to live: Clifton (A), York (B), Duncan (B)

#1. Maricopa County

- Population: 4,328,810
- Median home value: $260,200 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,127 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $64,468
- Top public schools: BASIS Scottsdale (A+), BASIS Peoria (A+), BASIS Chandler (A+)
- Top private schools: Phoenix Country Day School (A+), Brophy College Preparatory High School (A+), Rancho Solano Preparatory School (A+)
- Top places to live: Ahwatukee Foothills (A+), Scottsdale (A), Gilbert (A)

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