Top 10 U.S. Cities to Live In

SmartAsset gathered data from 275 smaller cities or towns throughout the U.S. to compile their top 10 list of best cities or towns in the U.S. to live in. The data consisted of nine criteria including the concentration of bars, restaurants and entertainment options, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 County Business Patterns Survey. It also took into consideration things such as commute times, the local unemployment rate, access to healthcare, housing costs as a percent of income, and number of residents living below the poverty level.

Which Arizona City Made the Ranking?

One Arizona city made the cut. Ranking #10 in the best cities or towns in the U.S. to Live in was Queen Creek! Housing costs as a percentage of income is just 18.84%. The unemployment rate for residents of Queen Creek is 2.9%, and their best score compared to the other nine cities was just 2.7% living below the poverty level.

Queen Creek: Housing Boom

Years ago, Queen Creek was almost 100% agricultural, farming and ranching. That changed during the housing boom of 2005 when developers were desperately searching for large parcels of land to build their next master planned community. Unfortunately, there was a lot of speculative buying by folks who had no intentions of occupying the homes they were buying, and who walked away when the market crashed in 2008.

A Great Place to Live

Development in Queen Creek limped along until 2012when prices throughout the metro area began accelerating again, and Queen Creek still had affordable new construction available. More commercial services began moving into the area, and now residents have many shopping, dining, and entertainment options throughout Queen Creek Marketplace, Queen Creek Village Center, Plaza at Power Marketplace, and also local standouts like the Queen Creek Olive Mill.

Depending on where in Queen Creek you find yourself, you might discover a magnificent view of either the Superstition or San Tan Mountain Ranges, and if you’re a hiker, you’ll have no trouble finding the trails.

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If you are looking for a home in Queen Creek, or the Phoenix Valley, please contact us today at 480-759-1576, or visit us at Cusickgroupre.com. We look forward to talking to you!