16 Pros and Cons of Living in Arizona

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Arizona is a land of contrast.

The weather is warm and dry year-round, but it gets beastly hot in summer.

There are beautiful places like the Grand Canyon, but there are also hundreds of miles of barren desert.

There are vibrant cities, and there are ghost towns.

It is not for everyone, but if you like mild to non-existent winters, wide-open spaces, and can stand the heat, this might be just the place you are looking for.

A high percentage of the population is concentrated in the Phoenix area.

Pros of Living in Arizona

1. The weather is warm and dry year-round

The summers are hot, but with low humidity, it is more bearable than you might think.

With the advent of air conditioning, Arizona has become a more popular place for vacationing and retirement. 

You will definitely need air conditioning in summer, and maybe in winter.

It is possible to get by without heat in most cases.

For most of the year, you do not have to worry about weather disrupting your plans.

2. Living in Arizona is good for your health

People used to move to Arizona for their health, and maybe they still do.

The warm dry air is good for your lungs.

That environment is not good for mold and other allergens, so people with allergies are a lot better off.

Warm dry air is easier to breathe.

The warm air is good for arthritis, which cold weather can aggravate.

The warmth also encourages people to get outdoors, which is also a good healthy habit.

3. Natural wonders abound in the state

There is, of course, the Grand Canyon, as well as other wonders like the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert.

There are striped rocks everywhere, which makes the landscape even more striking.

There are deserts, hills, small mountains, canyons, and enough diversity to keep most people happy with their surroundings.

There are 22 state parks in addition to national parks.

Even the barren desert has a beauty all its own.

4. The cost of living is not as low as in some states, but it is low enough to be positive

Monthly rent, or payments on a house, are in line with the national average and have not gone up a lot recently.

The overall cost of living is 30 percent lower than in New York City.

Cities like Phoenix and Tucson are more expensive, but there are a lot of rural areas that are very cheap places to live. 

Arizona tends to be at about the national average in things like utilities and the cost of food.

5. The crime rate is low in Arizona

There is some drug smuggling and human trafficking because of the international border, but crime, in general, is relatively low.

Statewide, the violent crime rate is 1.7 per 1,000 people, and the national average is 4.0.

Property crime is higher, at 23 per 1,000 people and the national average is 19 per 1,000. 

Phoenix and Tucson have more crime and rural areas have a lower crime rate.

6. Cities are built on a grid

There are not a lot of old cities in Arizona, and as a result, modern cities are built on a grid system which makes it easier to get around. 

Phoenix, for example, is a very big city, but it is organized to keep traffic moving smoothly.

Most streets are straight and numbered.

You will not find many winding streets with confusing names.

Getting around is a lot more intuitive than it is in many states.

7. The economy is strong and there are lots of jobs available in Arizona, especially in Phoenix or Tuscon

The tourism industry has been growing in recent years, and that sector is booming.

Construction and real estate are also areas with lots of jobs.

Healthcare, aerospace, and tech jobs are also available in the larger cities.

The average income is $50,000, which is above the national average.

8. Arizona also has a lot of diversity in many areas

There is a large Hispanic population.

Navajo and Apaches make up a large part of a large Native American population, and those languages are commonly spoken.

There is also a lot of diversity in the animal kingdom through all the different types of land in the state.

This leads to a lot of cultural activities that everyone can participate in. 

Cons of Living in Arizona

1. While the weather can be a drawing card, it can also be a negative

Summer temperatures can get to 120 or higher, and that is hot even in a dry climate.

Summers can have many days in a row of more than 100 degrees, and it does not cool down much at night.

The insides of cars can get unbearably hot as well.

There are also dust storms that are more of a nuisance than anything.

It is dry most of the year, but for a few weeks every year, there is a tremendous amount of rain – called the monsoon season.

2. Transportation can be difficult

While cities are laid out on a grid, making it easy to find your way, the actual getting there can be a problem.

In many areas, there is no public transportation, and cities are not built for walking.

You will need a car to get around in almost all areas of the state.

Traffic is also bad, and commutes are long, in places like Phoenix and Tucson.

Rural areas are not so bad, but that is not where most people live.

3. The desert is something you need to be prepared for

There are some beautiful places, but much of the state is a barren desert.

The southern half is a dry red and tan landscape that is mostly empty.

There can be very long stretches — 100 miles or more — with no sign of civilization or gas stations.

There may also not be a phone signal in some of those remote areas. 

4. While Arizona has some health benefits, there are some hazards you should be aware of

Rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, and black widow spiders are a few of the dangerous pests that can cause a lot of health problems.

There are also a lot of plants, and cactuses with needles, that can make you sick if you touch them.

Finally, there is valley fever, which is a fungal infection that causes a cough and fever.

It is primarily in the southern part of the state.

5. Snowbirds can also be a problem for full-time residents

Many are senior citizens getting away from colder climates.

They can contribute to overcrowding and traffic issues.

They do contribute to the economy, but your quiet neighborhood can be disrupted by an influx of people at certain times of the year.

They tend to show up during the winter months.

6. Depending on your political views, this may or may not be a bad thing

The state leans heavily conservative.

This is especially true when it comes to government spending, immigration, and gun control.

A lot of people own guns in Arizona.

This is not likely to change any time soon, so if that is a problem, you might not like it there.

You will probably encounter a lot of conservative people in Arizona, and some people are not as comfortable with that idea.

7. Weather boredom

Year-round warm weather may sound great, but even that can get monotonous.

Especially in the southern area, there are no seasons.

In the northern areas, there are two seasons – summer and a month or so of winter.

There is snow at times in Flagstaff, but it is rare, though they do get a couple of cooler months each year.

Heading north when it gets too hot in the south.

8. Jobs and people are concentrated in the two major cities of Phoenix and Tucson

Those two cities account for more than 25 percent of all jobs in the state.

While there are jobs in these two cities, you may have a hard time finding a good job in smaller towns in rural areas.

There are 7.1 million people in Arizona, five million in the Phoenix area, and one million in the Tucson area.

Pros and Cons of Living in Arizona – Summary Table

Arizona Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Arizona Safety Review

Safety Index:

86

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW