A Local Experts Guide to the Top 10 Budget Friendly Neighborhoods in Phoenix, AZ

I'm Andrew, your ApartmHomeLiving.com local expert for Phoenix. My earliest memories of Phoenix date back to the mid-2000s when 2 of my sisters moved there (one for work and the other for school). I fell in love immediately and always knew I would end up there too.

Having lived in the area now for close to six years, I’ve spent plenty of time exploring, investigating, and enjoying the whole metro area. I’ve also researched affordable places to live throughout the city, and that’s helped me find 10 neighborhoods for cheap renting in Phoenix that offer a surprisingly low cost of living (relative to the rest of the metro) and a whole lot to offer.

1. Downtown

The first time I saw the affordable options in apartment prices in downtown Phoenix, I was shocked. While you can certainly find pricey penthouses in the area, downtown Phoenix is surprisingly affordable compared to most major cities. It’s also the place to be.

Downtown Phoenix is packed with just about everything, from sporting arenas like Chase Field and Footprint Center to museums, concert halls (where you can see the Phoenix Symphony), endless places to eat and drink, and a whole lot more.

The nightlife is thriving, and there’s a good chance that you can enjoy an extremely short commute to work.

2. South Peoria

Peoria is in the northwest corner of the Phoenix metro, extending all the way up to Lake Pleasant (which makes for a great day trip from any neighborhood in the area). South Peoria runs right up against Glendale, only a dozen or so miles from downtown.

For the many things you can find in the neighborhood, the Westgate Entertainment District sticks out clearly. Before I moved to Phoenix, I would visit my sisters, and we would always find an excuse to hit up Westgate. Seeing a movie, catching a free outdoor concert, shopping, and a whole lot more would keep me entertained on weekend visits.

There’s a lot more to South Peoria than just Westgate. With the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum (my mom’s favorite) and countless cozy places to eat, grab a coffee, or otherwise relax, it’s a place that feels very “Phoenix” without the extreme traffic and bustle of downtown.

3. Suncliff

Suncliff is a small neighborhood in Sun City. Sun city fits right in the western edge of Peoria, putting you in range of many of the same amenities and pleasantries.

Honing in on the charm of Suncliff itself, you can find the Bell Recreation Center. With a large pool and a plethora of public halls and spaces, you can find regular meetings for just about every hobby imaginable. It’s a great place to make friends, pursue interests, and really start to feel like a local.

Suncliff also punches above its weight with community theater. There’s always a new show around the corner, and you’ll find more intimate performances that rarely disappoint.

4. Gila River

Just south of the Salt River, the Gila River neighborhood is really at the southern edge of Phoenix proper. The region stands out as one of the outdoor hubs of the metroplex. Nearly walking distance from the foothills of the South Mountain Park and Preserve, you have ample opportunities to hike, ride horses, and enjoy the cool season.

Even excluding the mountains, Gila River is dotted with parks, tennis courts, and ball sports, really steering into the outdoor activity vibe.

If you want a complete change of pace, you’re pretty close to Wild Horse Pass and the Gila River Resort and Casinos, where you can find plenty of indoor entertainment, include a weekly rotation of fun shows.

5. Grandview Gardens

Grandview Gardens is one of several neighborhoods in the midtown and uptown areas that mixes affordability with new growth and modern vibes. While you’re still close to downtown and all it offers, Grandview Gardens feels a bit more walkable with close access to the train and most things you want within reach.

One of the great pleasures of this neighborhood is the Uptown Farmers Market that you can find every Saturday. It gives you a small, local feel even when you’re in the heart of Phoenix.

Grandview also sits at the heart of the Winter in Phoenix movement. It’s a bunch of people and businesses that cater to outdoor activities specifically in the winter, enjoying sunsets, going for walks, and the like. You’ll see plenty of out-of-state snowbirds every winter, but that only adds to the fun.

6. Midtown Phoenix

Midtown, squeezed between uptown and downtown, has evolved over the past decade to create a surprisingly family-friendly atmosphere. This is where you’ll find a slew of different museums (including Heard and the Phoenix Art Museum), zoos, and outdoor activities.

You’re nestled between the South Mountains and the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, meaning you get your choice of regions for outdoor activities.

One of my favorite reasons to visit midtown is the Listening Room. It’s a recording studio that occasionally hosts intimate performances. You can find local legends and even international stars in a very small setting. It always feels like a special moment.

7. Estrella Villa and the I-10 Corridor

Estrella Villa is where you’ll find Grand Canyon University. Well, the school is on the northwest corner of the neighborhood. You’re also right by Hensley Industrial Park and several other industrial workplaces.

This makes Estrella Villa a perfect place to find great deals on apartments and homes for rent if you live if work in those areas and want a short commute.

Even when that’s not the case, the Hensley Beverage Company leads a strong culture of brewing and drinking, making this a fun area to catch a beverage and make some new friends — especially if you’re pregaming for a sporting event, concert, or other big gathering.

8. Hoffmantown

Hoffmantown is another thriving neighborhood sandwiched between midtown and uptown. You get that same desirable access to pretty much every exciting element of life in Phoenix, and you still enjoy the reduced traffic.

I mean, you’re still in Phoenix — there’s plenty of traffic. But, it feels light and easy next to downtown rush hour.

One thing that separates Hoffmantown from the other desirable neighborhoods in the area is Granada Park. It’s a nice little park where you can escape from the feel of the city, and with a small lake (maybe more of a pond), you can enjoy a little bit of water without making the longer drive to Lake Pleasant.

9. Alhambra

Alhambra is one of the northernmost neighborhoods in uptown. The Alhambra area is a surprisingly affordable place to live right in the heart of everything that makes Phoenix thrive.

Being a little farther north, Alhambra is walking distance from the Christown Spectrum Mall. That makes it extremely easy to get all of your essential amenities while moving away from the crowds of downtown (and even midtown).

Solano Park is also a nice retreat right in the neighborhood.

10. West Valley

West Valley moves west near the southern edge of Glendale. This gets you out of the denser areas of downtown, midtown, and uptown, and into the more suburban feel of Glendale.

West Valley has plenty to offer, but one claim to fame stands above the rest, and it’s the reason I first visited the neighborhood, long before moving to Phoenix.

That claim to fame is Spring Training. Every March, more than a dozen MLB teams head to the fields for their spring training. You can get up close and personal with the best baseball players in the world, watching multiple games a day, and soaking up the culture and environment.

Now, not all games are played directly in West Valley, but it’s a central part of spring training, and it’s well worth a visit and exploration, even if you end up living in a different neighborhood.

It’s such a big deal that the West Valley population surges for the duration.