Arizona's Most Affluent Communities: Where the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and Tucson Metro Areas Showcase Peak Prosperity

Arizona’s wealthiest enclaves cluster around two distinct metropolitan regions—the sprawling Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler area and the Tucson metropolitan zone. Using data aggregated from the 2023 U.S. Census American Community Survey and current Zillow property valuations, we’ve identified the top 20 most prosperous suburbs based on average household income metrics.

The Geography of Wealth: Two Metro Areas Dominate

The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metropolitan area commands the landscape with 14 of the top 20 positions, while the Tucson region claims the remaining six spots—including the #1 most affluent suburb statewide. This concentration reflects both population distribution and economic opportunity across Arizona’s two largest urban centers.

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Region: 14 Communities of High Earners

The Mid-Tier Affluent (Positions 20-15)

Beginning at the entry point, Surprise leads this tier with an average household income of $107,511 and median home values around $432,562. Maricopa follows closely at $108,500 in household income, with properties averaging $359,461—making it an attractive value proposition. Sun Tan Valley maintains similar income levels at $108,603, while Buckeye steps up to $113,682 in average household earnings and $404,585 home valuations. The tier concludes with Sahuarita (technically Tucson-affiliated at $117,690 income) and Gold Canyon, which reaches $119,660 in average household income with premium home values of $495,631.

The Upper-Middle Tier (Positions 14-9)

Peoria enters this bracket at $119,995 household income and $499,551 average home value, while Goodyear surpasses $121,000 with homes valued near $478,411. The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler region’s strength becomes evident with Chandler commanding $134,123 average household income and $542,177 typical home values. Fountain Hills demonstrates exceptional property appreciation at $753,411 with $140,542 average household income, indicating premium positioning among the region’s suburbs.

The Elite Tier (Positions 7-4)

Anthem positions itself at $143,659 average household income and $577,257 home values. Gilbert strengthens the region’s reputation with $145,526 household income and $581,829 property valuations. New River reaches into the elite category at $159,599 average household income, supported by impressive home values of $766,561.

The Summit (Positions 3-2)

Queen Creek achieves $162,363 in average household income with homes valued at $640,576, while Scottsdale solidifies its position as the region’s crown jewel at $168,679 average household income and commanding home values of $938,118.

Tucson Metro Area: Six Prosperous Communities

Upper-Tier Prosperity

Vail and Marana both exceed $130,000 in average household income, with properties valued at $421,260 and $444,345 respectively. Oro Valley elevates further with $133,439 household income and $531,670 home values, reflecting the region’s growing appeal to affluent residents.

The Regional Peak

Tanque Verde reaches $157,326 in average household income, with homes valued at $679,407—demonstrating significant appreciation potential in the Tucson market. However, Catalina Foothills claims the state’s #1 position with an impressive $170,897 average household income and $761,048 typical home values, outpacing even Scottsdale in income metrics despite the Phoenix-area suburb’s higher absolute property values.

Key Takeaways for Prospective Buyers and Investors

The data reveals that while Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler dominates in quantity and top-tier property valuations (particularly Scottsdale), Tucson’s premier communities—especially Catalina Foothills—match or exceed income levels. This suggests diverse wealth creation patterns across Arizona’s metropolitan regions, with each area offering distinct lifestyle and investment characteristics tied to their unique environmental conditions and community profiles.

Methodology: Analysis based on Arizona suburbs with 5,000+ households, utilizing average household income data from the 2023 U.S. Census American Community Survey and 2025 property valuations sourced from Zillow. Data compiled as of August 19, 2025.