Planning to move in 2026? RentCafe.com’s latest Most Livable U.S. Metro Areas report is a comprehensive analysis factoring in 17 essential metrics that support the well-being and social engagement of its residents. With that in mind, how does Phoenix rank among most livable cities in the U.S.?

While a higher cost-of-living dragged down Phoenix’s score in local economy, the metro area – which is home to more than 5 million people – saw improvements for quality of life and community, so much so that the metro’s overall livability increased by 17 spots to No. 81. 

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Here are the major changes: 

Socioeconomics ranking 63 (down from 28) 

  • Life got more expensive in Phoenix, with a cost of living at 8.9% above average, following a 1.1% increase year-over-year. 
  • But residents’ income took the biggest hit. Over the last three years, the income grew by 4%, compared with a 10% increase between 2019 and 2022. 
  • On the bright side, both the poverty and unemployment rates improved.  

Quality of Life ranking 61 (up from 69) 

  • Finding a place to stay active in Phoenix is easier than ever. Nearly 93% of residents now live within a few blocks of a park or gym—a significant leap from just 77% last year.  
  • Furthermore, more residents include exercise in their leisure time, with 8 out of 10 adults in Phoenix being physically active.   
  • While there are more minor improvements, it’s still worth mentioning that more people under the age of 65 have health insurance and there are more healthcare providers in town. 

Location and Community ranking 111 (up from 125) 

  • A year ago, almost half (46%) of the population of the Phoenix metro area spent more than 30 minutes commuting in traffic. Now, 37.8% face long commutes. 
  • Despite more opportunities for residents to get involved in the community and more options to spend their free time, Phoenix still lags behind similar sized metro areas, which dragged the ranking down in this category. 
  • To put things in perspective, residents in Boston enjoy a much wider social scene, with roughly 60% more membership clubs available and 54% more entertainment, arts and leisure venues than in Phoenix. 

For a full breakdown of all 17 metrics and an easy comparison with 148 other metro areas, we’ve included in our report an easy-to-use interactive table. Check it out here.