Peoria & Surprise Ranked Among the Most Affordable Cities to Buy a Home. Here’s What That Means for You.
If you’ve been watching home prices climb and wondering whether buying a home is still within reach, here’s some good news from the West Valley: a brand-new WalletHub study just ranked both Peoria and Surprise, Arizona among the most affordable cities in the entire country to buy a home.
Surprise landed at #3 nationwide (trailing only Flint, Michigan and Detroit) while Peoria came in at #22 on the same list. That’s two West Valley cities sitting in the top 25 most affordable home-buying markets in America, out of 300 cities studied.
And these aren’t the only times these cities have made affordability lists. In a separate WalletHub study focused on first-time homebuyers, Peoria ranked #13 and Surprise ranked #30 in the entire country putting both cities firmly in the top 30 nationally for buyers just getting started.
So what’s going on in the West Valley, and what does it mean if you’re looking for a new home in Arizona? Let’s break it down.
How WalletHub Came Up With the Rankings
WalletHub didn’t just look at home prices. The study compared 300 U.S. cities across 10 key affordability metrics, including median home prices, maintenance costs, real estate tax rates, homeowners insurance costs, vacancy rates, cost of living, and rent-to-price ratios. It also factored in median home price appreciation and how home prices stack up relative to local incomes.
In other words, this isn’t a list of cities with cheap homes. It’s a list of cities where the overall financial picture of homeownership (from purchase price to property taxes to long-term appreciation) makes the most sense for everyday buyers.
Why Surprise Ranked #3 in the Country
Surprise, Arizona’s strong showing came down to a few key strengths. According to WalletHub, Surprise has the 18th-highest median home price appreciation among all 300 cities studied. This is a sign that homes purchased here have been gaining value at a faster rate than most U.S. cities. That’s good news for current homeowners and even better news for buyers entering the market now.
Surprise also boasts the eighth-lowest median real estate tax rate of all cities studied, which directly reduces the total cost of homeownership over the life of a mortgage. And with the 11th-highest number of quarterly active listings per 1,000 residents, buyers in Surprise have more inventory to choose from than they would in most markets meaning less competition and more leverage.
Even with a median listing price near $444,000, Surprise scored so well on income-relative affordability and tax efficiency that it earned the #3 spot in the entire country.
Why Peoria Came in at #22 and Why That Matters
Peoria’s #22 ranking is just as significant, especially when you consider what Peoria offers compared to other top-ranked cities. Many of the cities ranked above Peoria are affordable in part because of long-term population decline and economic challenges. Peoria is the opposite. It’s a growing, thriving city with a strong economy, excellent schools, and one of the best lifestyles in the Phoenix metro.
In other words, Peoria isn’t affordable because it’s struggling. It’s affordable because the math just works. Reasonable home prices relative to income, low taxes, strong property value appreciation, and a diversified local economy that supports long-term homeowner stability is key.
Both Cities Also Made the Top 30 for First-Time Homebuyers
In that separate WalletHub study that ranked the best cities in America for first-time homebuyers Peoria came in at #13 and Surprise at #30. Five Arizona cities made the top 30 total, but Peoria and Surprise stand out as the two West Valley options on that list.
That ranking matters because it factors in things beyond just price. First-time buyers care about safety, schools, job markets, walkability, and long-term livability, not just whether they can afford the mortgage. The fact that both Peoria and Surprise scored so highly across the board means these cities aren’t just affordable today. They’re also places where buyers can build long-term roots and grow their lives.
What This Means If You’re Looking to Buy
If you’ve been priced out of cities like Scottsdale, Chandler, or Gilbert, or watching home prices in your hometown climb out of reach, the West Valley is your opportunity. Peoria and Surprise both offer:
- Lower median home prices than most of the East Valley
- Low property tax rates that reduce your total cost of ownership
- Strong home value appreciation that builds equity over time
- A high quality of life with parks, schools, dining, and recreation
- Easy access to the rest of the Phoenix metro via I-10, Loop 101, and Loop 303
- Year-round Arizona sunshine and outdoor lifestyle
- New construction options that come with builder warranties, energy efficiency, and modern floor plans
And when you’re buying new construction, you can stack additional savings on top by taking advantage of builder incentives, rate buydowns, and closing cost assistance can meaningfully reduce your monthly payment, especially in today’s rate environment.
Scott Communities in Peoria: New Homes from the $400s
If Peoria is on your shortlist, Scott Communities is actively building at two communities in the city: The Views at Rancho Cabrillo and The Retreat at Rancho Cabrillo. Both are located in one of the city’s most desirable corridors, with mountain views, community parks, basketball courts, walking paths, and quick access to Lake Pleasant.
The Views at Rancho Cabrillo offers new homes starting in the $400s, with plans ranging from 1,562 to 2,322 square feet. These plans feature 3 to 4 bedrooms, up to 3-car garages, split floorplans, and flexible options like dens, casitas, and expanded patios.
The Retreat at Rancho Cabrillo is our luxury collection, with homes starting in the $700s and ranging up to 3,095 square feet. These plans include gourmet kitchen options, master suites with separate vanities, flex rooms, and options for casitas, multi-slide glass doors, RV garages, and additional garage space.
Looking at Surprise? Peoria Is Right Next Door
If Surprise is on your radar because of the affordability rankings, you may want to add Peoria to your search too. The two cities share a border, and the drive between them is about 14 minutes. Scott Communities’ Peoria location is actually even closer, less than a mile from the Surprise border!
Peoria gives you many of the same affordability advantages with a few notable upgrades: a shorter commute to central Phoenix, Lake Pleasant in your backyard, the highly regarded Peoria Unified School District, and the P83 Entertainment District for dining and entertainment.
For buyers who want new construction with builder incentives, Peoria also offers more new-home inventory in the immediate area than many parts of Surprise, with active communities being built right now.
Looking for Even More Affordability? Check Out Casa Grande
If maximizing affordability is your top priority, our Arroyo Grande community in Casa Grande, AZ offers new homes starting in the $300s making it some of the most accessible new construction in the entire Phoenix metro. Casa Grande sits about 45 minutes south of Phoenix and is one of Arizona’s fastest-growing cities, with major employers like Lucid Motors driving long-term job growth in the area.
Arroyo Grande features 1,562 to 2,556 square foot plans with options for RV garages, dens, casitas, and gourmet kitchens. All in a brand-new community with parks, walking paths, and resort-style amenities.
The Takeaway: Arizona Affordability Is Still Within Reach
With Surprise ranked #3 and Peoria ranked #22 on WalletHub’s most affordable cities list, the West Valley is officially one of the best places in the country to buy a home right now. Add in their strong rankings for first-time buyers, and it’s clear that Arizona homeownership is still very much achievable. You just have to know where to look.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, relocating from out of state, upgrading your current home, or looking for that perfect single-story retreat, Scott Communities has options across Peoria, Goodyear, and Casa Grande that fit a range of budgets and lifestyles. Find us in some of the most affordable cities to buy a home in Arizona!
Visit ScottCommunities.com to explore our communities, browse floor plans, and schedule a tour. You can also reach our team directly at 480-845-0781 or hello@scottcommunities.com.
Affordability and Arizona living. You really can have both.