Arizona's Wealthiest Enclaves: Where Big Incomes Meet Premium Living

Arizona’s most affluent communities are heavily concentrated in two major metropolitan regions, with the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler area claiming 14 of the top 20 positions, while Tucson rounds out the list with six thriving neighborhoods. Using data from the 2023 U.S. Census American Community Survey combined with current Zillow valuations, here’s what separates the state’s most prosperous suburbs from the rest.

The Geographic Divide: Phoenix Dominates, But Tucson Leads at the Top

The wealthier Phoenix metro area takes the lion’s share of affluent suburbs, yet Tucson claims the number one spot. Catalina Foothills leads all Arizona suburbs with an average household income of $170,897 and typical home values around $761,048. This creates an interesting dynamic where while Phoenix sprawls with wealth across 14 neighborhoods, Tucson concentrates its prosperity more narrowly but at higher income levels.

The Upper Tier: $150,000+ Annual Households

Three communities break into the rarified air of $150,000+ average household income. Beyond Catalina Foothills, Tanque Verde (also in Tucson) shows impressive metrics with $157,326 average household income and $679,407 median home values. In the Phoenix area, New River and Queen Creek lead this elite segment, with New River averaging $159,599 in household income and commanding $766,561 in typical home values—among the highest in the state.

The High-Income Middle: $130,000-$150,000 Range

This tier reveals where the broader affluence spreads across Arizona. Scottsdale emerges as Phoenix’s premium community with $168,679 average household income and $938,118 typical home values—the highest in the state. Gilbert, Anthem, and Fountain Hills also cluster in this range, with Fountain Hills showing particularly strong real estate values at $753,411 despite having 10,000+ households.

Tucson contributes Oro Valley, Marana, and Vail to this segment, with Oro Valley averaging $133,439 in household income and $531,670 in home values.

Mid-Range Affluence: $110,000-$130,000 Bracket

The Phoenix area dominates this tier with Goodyear ($121,426), Peoria ($119,995), Gold Canyon ($119,660), and Buckeye ($113,682) leading the way. These communities represent the growing outer suburbs where middle-to-upper class families establish roots. Home values generally range from $400,000 to $500,000, making them more accessible than top-tier enclaves while maintaining strong income profiles.

Sahuarita and Vail in the Tucson metro occupy this space, with Sahuarita at $117,690 average household income.

Entry-Level Prosperity: $107,000-$113,000 Range

Surprise, Maricopa, Sun City Valley, and Buckeye round out the top 20, with average household incomes between $107,511 and $113,682. These represent Arizona’s accessible prosperity—communities where solid middle-class to upper-middle-class families thrive with home values generally under $450,000.

Market Takeaway

The data reveals clear stratification in Arizona’s real estate landscape. The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area’s concentration of 14 wealthy suburbs reflects its larger population base and sprawling development patterns. Chandler AZ population growth and continued suburban expansion contribute to this diversity of affluent neighborhoods.

Tucson’s smaller but more concentrated wealth suggests a different demographic pattern—fewer but more densely prosperous communities, particularly in the northern suburbs like Catalina Foothills and Tanque Verde.

For those considering Arizona living, the choice between these regions hinges on lifestyle preference: Phoenix offers variety and scale across multiple price points and communities, while Tucson provides concentrated, established wealth with distinct character.

Data Methodology: Rankings based on 2023 U.S. Census American Community Survey data for all Arizona communities with 5,000+ households. Home valuations from Zillow reflect 2025 market data as of August 2025.