Updated July 2026
Quick answer Livability named Chandler and Tempe to its 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. Chandler ranked No. 16 nationally, while Tempe ranked No. 30. Chandler scored especially well for health, transportation, housing and economic opportunity. Tempe stood out for amenities, education, health and its central location.
If you are moving to Arizona and comparing where to live in the Phoenix area, two East Valley cities just received national recognition.
Livability named both Chandler and Tempe to its 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. Chandler ranked No. 16 nationally, while Tempe ranked No. 30.
That is a strong showing for two neighboring cities, but Chandler and Tempe earned their rankings for different reasons.
Chandler scored especially well for health care, transportation, housing and economic opportunity. Tempe stood out for amenities, education, health care and its central location.
The rankings support what I see while helping people relocate to Greater Phoenix: Chandler and Tempe are both desirable, but they offer very different versions of living in Phoenix.
#16 Chandler’s national ranking
752 Chandler LivScore
#30 Tempe’s national ranking
723 Tempe LivScore
Chandler and Tempe’s 2026 National Rankings
Livability compared more than 2,000 U.S. cities with populations generally between 75,000 and 500,000. Its 2026 ranking analyzed more than 100 data points across eight categories:
- Amenities
- Economy
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Housing and cost of living
- Safety
- Transportation
Livability placed additional emphasis on affordability when creating the 2026 list.
Chandler received a LivScore of 752 out of 1,000, placing it at No. 16 nationally. Tempe received a LivScore of 723, placing it at No. 30.
Chandler vs. Tempe Category Scores
| Category | Chandler | Tempe |
|---|
| Amenities | 68 | 84 |
| Economy | 76 | 73 |
| Education | 73 | 75 |
| Environment | 23 | 17 |
| Health | 92 | 92 |
| Housing and cost of living | 82 | 78 |
| Safety | 73 | 45 |
| Transportation | 88 | 79 |
What the scores show: Both cities received particularly strong health scores. Chandler ranked higher in transportation, safety, economy, and housing and cost of living. Tempe scored higher in amenities and education.
Those differences help explain which city may be the better fit for you.
Why Chandler Ranked No. 16
Chandler has grown into one of Greater Phoenix’s major employment and technology centers while maintaining established neighborhoods, parks, schools, shopping and access to major freeways. Explore my Chandler, Arizona lifestyle guide for a closer look at neighborhoods, housing and daily life.
Livability identified health, transportation, and housing and cost of living as Chandler’s strongest categories.
A Strong Employment Base
Chandler is known for technology, semiconductor manufacturing, financial services and advanced manufacturing.
Intel has a major presence in South Chandler, while companies such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Northrop Grumman contribute to the area’s employment base.
For someone moving to Arizona for a position in Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert or parts of Phoenix, Chandler can provide relatively convenient access to several East Valley employment corridors.
Freeway Access and Location
Chandler is served by Loop 101, Loop 202 and nearby Interstate 10.
That location provides access to:
- Tempe and Arizona State University
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Downtown Phoenix
- Mesa and Gilbert
- Scottsdale
- Ahwatukee
- Major Chandler employment centers
Your actual drive time depends heavily on where you live within Chandler. A home near the Tempe border creates a different daily routine than a new construction home near the southern edge of the city.
Housing Variety in Chandler
Living in Chandler, AZ can mean several different things.
- Established homes in central and northern Chandler
- Waterfront and golf-course communities
- Master-planned neighborhoods
- Larger homes in South Chandler
- Newer construction near the Gilbert border
- Townhomes and condominiums near Downtown Chandler
- Luxury properties in Ocotillo and surrounding neighborhoods
Chandler’s range of housing is one reason it attracts buyers at different life stages and price points. See current pricing, inventory and sales trends in my Chandler housing market update.
Why Tempe Ranked No. 30
Tempe earned its highest scores for health, amenities and transportation.
It is one of the most centrally located cities in Greater Phoenix, with access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona State University, Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler and Mesa. Read my Tempe, Arizona lifestyle guide for more detail about the ASU area, South Tempe and local neighborhoods.
Arizona State University and Education
Arizona State University is one of Tempe’s most recognizable institutions, but its influence extends well beyond the campus.
ASU supports research, technology, entrepreneurship, arts, sports, employment and cultural events. Its presence also contributes to Tempe’s education and amenities scores.
However, living in Tempe, AZ does not automatically mean living next to the university. Tempe stretches south from the ASU and Downtown Tempe area to established residential neighborhoods near Warner Road.
Entertainment and Amenities
Tempe offers access to:
- Tempe Town Lake
- Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue
- ASU Gammage
- Tempe Center for the Arts
- College and professional sporting events
- Restaurants, festivals and cultural events
- Light rail and streetcar service
- Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
This helps explain Tempe’s amenities score of 84, which was substantially higher than Chandler’s score of 68.
A Central Phoenix-Area Location
Tempe sits near the center of the metropolitan area.
Depending on the neighborhood, residents may have relatively direct access to Interstate 10, U.S. 60, Loop 101 and Loop 202.
For buyers who travel frequently, work in multiple parts of the Valley or value proximity to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe’s location can be one of its biggest advantages. Review current prices and inventory in my Tempe housing market update.
Chandler vs. Tempe: Which Is Better?
Neither city is universally better. The right choice depends on the type of home, neighborhood and daily routine you want.
Chandler may fit youConsider Chandler if you want:
- More newer or larger-home options
- Master-planned communities
- Access to major technology and employment centers
- South Chandler new construction
- Golf, lake or waterfront communities
- A suburban setting with developed shopping and dining
- Access to both the Loop 101 and Loop 202 corridors
Tempe may fit youConsider Tempe if you want:
- A more central Greater Phoenix location
- Faster access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Proximity to ASU
- Established neighborhoods with mature landscaping
- More restaurants, events and entertainment nearby
- Light rail, streetcar or bicycle access
- A shorter drive to Downtown Phoenix or parts of Scottsdale
Do not ignore the border areas
Some buyers discover that the best answer is not strictly Chandler or Tempe. The Southwest Chandler, South Tempe and Ahwatukee border area can provide access to all three cities while offering a different housing profile.
What Does It Cost to Live in Chandler or Tempe?
Livability’s July 2026 city profiles report the following figures:
| Housing and income data | Chandler | Tempe |
|---|
| Median home value | $493,310 | $465,197 |
| Average household income | $108,713 | $83,353 |
| Median monthly rent | Noted in city data | $1,634 |
| Average drive time to work | Approximately 22 minutes | Approximately 20 minutes |
These figures provide a general citywide snapshot. They should not be treated as a prediction of what a particular home will cost.
Home prices can vary based on:
- Neighborhood
- Property condition
- Home size
- Lot size
- Age of construction
- School boundaries
- Community amenities
- Proximity to freeways or employment centers
- Renovations and upgrades
- Whether the property has a pool, view or waterfront location
A national ranking cannot explain those differences. That requires local market knowledge.
What National Rankings Miss About Living in Phoenix
National rankings are useful for identifying broad strengths, but they flatten an entire city into one score.
That is where the numbers stop and firsthand local knowledge becomes more important.
I was born and raised in Phoenix and have watched Chandler and Tempe change for decades. I also work directly with buyers relocating to Greater Phoenix. In practice, choosing a neighborhood matters at least as much as choosing the city.
South Tempe Is Not the Same as the ASU Area
Someone searching for living in Tempe, AZ may picture college students, apartments and Mill Avenue.
That describes only one part of Tempe.
South Tempe includes established residential neighborhoods, larger lots, mature landscaping, custom homes and communities that feel substantially more suburban. Some areas near Warner Road have convenient access to Chandler, Ahwatukee, Interstate 10 and the Loop 101 while remaining within Tempe.
The ASU and Downtown Tempe area offers more activity, rentals, transit, restaurants and entertainment. South Tempe generally offers a quieter residential environment and a different housing inventory.
The right part of Tempe depends on whether you prioritize nightlife and transit, established residential streets, larger lots, airport access or proximity to a particular employer.
Ocotillo Is Not the Same as Downtown Chandler
Ocotillo is known for lakes, golf, waterfront properties, landscaped communities and larger homes. It offers a different lifestyle from Downtown Chandler, which has restaurants, breweries, events, historic properties, townhomes and newer infill development.
Older central Chandler neighborhoods can offer established homes, larger lots and convenient access to the city’s original core. They can also vary significantly from one subdivision to the next.
Using Chandler’s citywide ranking or median home value cannot tell you which of these areas fits your priorities.
Southwest Chandler, South Tempe and Ahwatukee Form Their Own Pocket
The area where Southwest Chandler, South Tempe and Ahwatukee meet is frequently overlooked by people moving to Arizona.
Some neighborhoods in this pocket offer larger or upgraded homes, mountain access, mature landscaping, proximity to Interstate 10 and relatively convenient access to Tempe, Chandler and Phoenix.
Certain communities are more affluent and residential than buyers expect based on a general online search. The city name alone may not reveal how connected these neighborhoods are to nearby employment, shopping, schools and recreation.
Someone working in Tempe may ultimately prefer Southwest Chandler. Someone searching in Chandler may find the right home just across the boundary in South Tempe or Ahwatukee.
South Chandler Offers Newer Homes and Different Views
South Chandler continues to attract buyers looking for newer construction, larger floor plans, planned communities and access to the Loop 202.
Near the Gilbert border, some areas offer more open surroundings, newer homes and views that feel different from central or northern Chandler.
Even within South Chandler, communities vary in lot size, HOA structure, architecture, amenities, traffic patterns and proximity to future development.
This is why buyers should compare specific neighborhoods rather than assuming every home with a Chandler address provides the same lifestyle.
Should You Move to Chandler or Tempe?
Chandler and Tempe both earned legitimate places among Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2026.
Chandler’s No. 16 ranking reflects its strong economy, transportation network, health resources and broad housing inventory.
Tempe’s No. 30 ranking reflects its central location, education, entertainment, amenities and transportation options.
But the best city on a national list may not be the best neighborhood for your life.
Before deciding where to live, consider:
- Where you will work
- Your acceptable drive time
- Whether you want an established or newer home
- Your preferred lot size
- Whether you want an HOA
- Access to restaurants, trails, airports or entertainment
- The age and condition of available homes
- Your budget and long-term plans
A neighborhood-level comparison will tell you far more than a citywide score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Chandler make the 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live list?
Yes. Livability ranked Chandler No. 16 on its 2026 list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. Chandler received a LivScore of 752 out of 1,000.
Did Tempe make the 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live list?
Yes. Livability ranked Tempe No. 30 nationally for 2026. Tempe received a LivScore of 723 out of 1,000 and scored especially well for health, amenities, transportation and education.
Is Chandler or Tempe better for someone moving to Arizona?
It depends on the neighborhood and your priorities. Chandler generally offers more newer homes, larger floor plans and master-planned communities. Tempe offers a more central location, stronger access to transit, established neighborhoods and proximity to ASU, Downtown Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport.
Is South Tempe different from Downtown Tempe?
Yes. Downtown Tempe and the ASU area have more apartments, restaurants, events and transit. South Tempe generally has more established residential neighborhoods, mature landscaping, larger lots and convenient access to Chandler and Ahwatukee.
What parts of Chandler should buyers compare?
Buyers should compare areas such as Ocotillo, Downtown Chandler, central Chandler, Southwest Chandler, South Chandler and newer communities near the Gilbert border. Each offers a different mix of home age, lot size, amenities, drive times and neighborhood character.
Moving to Arizona?
I help buyers compare communities throughout Greater Phoenix based on housing needs, lifestyle, budget and actual daily drive times.
As Chandler, Arizona REALTOR® Andrea Scheppe, I can help you compare Ocotillo, Downtown Chandler, Southwest Chandler, South Chandler and newer communities near the Gilbert border.
As Tempe Real Estate Agent Andrea Scheppe, I can also help you understand the differences between Downtown Tempe, the ASU area, South Tempe and the Tempe-Chandler-Ahwatukee border communities.
The goal is not simply to choose a highly ranked city. It is to find the part of Greater Phoenix that works for how you plan to live.
Data note: The rankings, category scores and methodology are based on Livability’s 2026 Top 100 list and its current Chandler and Tempe profiles as accessed in July 2026. Livability evaluated more than 2,000 cities using over 100 data points. Its published Chandler and Tempe pages identify each city’s strongest categories and current city-level statistics.
