Arizona's Most Affluent Suburban Communities: A Data-Driven Look at Wealth Distribution

When exploring Arizona’s wealthiest neighborhoods, two metropolitan areas emerge as the clear hotspots for high-income households — Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and Tucson. A comprehensive analysis using U.S. Census Community Survey data and Zillow’s latest home valuations reveals fascinating patterns about where prosperity clusters across the Grand Canyon State.

The Geographic Divide: Phoenix Dominates the Wealth Rankings

Of the 20 most affluent suburbs in Arizona, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler captures 14 positions, while Tucson claims six. This concentration reflects broader economic patterns in the state, with both regions offering unique appeals to affluent residents seeking suburban living.

Understanding the Top Tier: Income and Property Values

At the pinnacle sits Catalina Foothills (Tucson metro), where the average household income reaches $170,897, paired with typical home values of $761,048. Just below, Scottsdale commands attention with an average household income of $168,679 and the highest typical home value on the list at $938,118.

Queen Creek ranks third with $162,363 in average household income and $640,576 typical home values, while New River follows at $159,599 and $766,561 respectively.

Mid-Tier Wealth: Where Affluence Solidifies

The middle rankings showcase a diverse range of communities, each offering distinct characteristics. Tanque Verde (Tucson) presents $157,326 average household income with $679,407 home values. Moving into the Phoenix area, Gilbert stands out with $145,526 average household income and $581,829 typical home values.

Anthem attracts residents with $143,659 average household income and $577,257 home values, while Fountain Hills combines $140,542 income with notably higher property valuations at $753,411.

Rising Opportunities: Building Affluence from Mid-Range Starting Points

Communities like Chandler — a major hub for those exploring things to do in the Phoenix suburbs — showcases strong fundamentals with $134,123 average household income and $542,177 typical home values. Oro Valley (Tucson) reaches $133,439 income, while Marana and Vail in the Tucson area maintain healthy averages of $130,659 and $130,479 respectively.

Entry-Level Affluence: Where the Top 20 Begins

The rankings conclude with communities still commanding significant wealth profiles. Goodyear presents $121,426 average household income with $478,411 home values, while Peoria reaches $119,995 with $499,551 properties. Gold Canyon marks another Phoenix entry at $119,660 income and $495,631 home values.

Communities like Sahuarita (Tucson) at $117,690, Buckeye (Phoenix area) at $113,682, and Sun Valley at $108,603 round out the comprehensive analysis, with Maricopa at $108,500 and Surprise at $107,511 completing the top 20.

What These Rankings Reveal

The data, compiled from 2023 U.S. Census American Community Survey figures and 2025 Zillow valuations, examined all Arizona cities with 5,000 or more households. The concentration of wealth in these two metropolitan corridors reflects employment centers, quality of life factors, and real estate appreciation patterns that continue attracting high-income households across Arizona.

Whether investigating Chandler for suburban lifestyle opportunities or exploring Scottsdale’s luxury market, these rankings provide a snapshot of where Arizona’s most prosperous communities cluster and what property ownership looks like in each region.