Peoria, AZ, known as "A Place of Potential," is a vibrant city with a strong sense of community and plenty of opportunities for growth. Located in Maricopa and Yavapai counties, Peoria is approximately 13 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its excellent quality of life, beautiful parks, and thriving economy.
Peoria's climate features hot summers and mild winters, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Lake Pleasant Regional Park and the expansive Rio Vista Community Park, which offer hiking, boating, and opportunities for family picnics. The city's commitment to maintaining green spaces ensures residents have plenty of places to relax and enjoy nature.
The cultural scene in Peoria is dynamic, with attractions like the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, the Challenger Space Center, and the Arizona Broadway Theatre. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Peoria Arts & Cultural Festival and the Old Town Holiday Festival, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements. Living in Peoria means being part of a community that values its cultural heritage and enjoys a vibrant arts scene.
Education is a priority in Peoria, with the Peoria Unified School District providing top-quality education to its students. The city is also close to higher education institutions such as Arizona State University and Glendale Community College. This focus on education makes Peoria an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Banner Peoria Medical Center, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Peoria combines the benefits of urban amenities with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its potential for growth, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Peoria offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Health & Safety
The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.
Located in the state of Arizona, Peoria is a moderately-sized city with a population of 172,109 inhabitants. The majority of Peoria residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Peoria your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 29 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Peoria, Arizona. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Peoria, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, education, housing and more.
With a livability score of 77 out of 100, Peoria is ranked #2,070 in the United States and #9 in Arizona. Clearly, Peoria is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Peoria also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Peoria scores well for crime (B), cost of living (B-), education (A+), employment (A-) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Peoria ranks poorly for, including: amenities (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Peoria has a violent crime rate of 195 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Peoria market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Peoria. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Peoria are affordable. The median home price for Peoria homes is $282,200, which is 59.5% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Peoria, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 5.7% higher than the Arizona average.
| Statistic | Peoria | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 29min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.1% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.8% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.8% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.4% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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