Chandler, AZ is a suburb of Phoenix, offering you the best of both worlds. You are close to Phoenix and all of its amenities, but you also are surrounded by beautiful open desert.
In this post, we will share what it is like to live in Chandler, exploring cost of living, employment opportunities, education, crime, leisure and more.
What is the Cost of Living in Chandler, AZ?
For data on the cost of living in Chandler, Arizona, we can take a look at what Sperling’s Best Places lists for this community.
Sperling’s uses a scale to rate cost of living where the US average is 100. Scores above 100 are a higher than average cost of living, and scores below 100 are a lower than average cost of living.
On that scale, the average cost of living in Arizona is 106.4, which is just marginally more expensive than the nationwide average. The cost of living for Chandler is 115.7, which is a little more expensive than that.
Keep in mind that Chandler is an affluent community where wages are higher than the nationwide average, as we will discuss in an upcoming section.
Given that fact as well as the metropolitan nature of the area, the cost of living for Chandler is very reasonable.
The healthcare cost rating is also lower than the nationwide average as well as the statewide average, just 92.5. So, that is an area where you might save some money while living in Chandler.
What is the Cost of Housing in Chandler, AZ?
The cost of housing in Chandler is also compared to the cost of housing in Arizona and nationwide at Sperling’s Best Places.
On the same scale where 100 is the national average, Arizona gets a score of 119.7, and Chandler gets a score of 145.7.
The median home cost in Chandler is $424,900, which is significantly higher than the $291,700 median home cost nationwide.
The higher-than-average wages in Chandler help to offset the higher cost of housing. Nevertheless, it is important to work with a trusted local mortgage broker so that you can save money on interest and fees when buying a home in this city.
Employment Opportunities in Chandler, AZ
Now that you know more about the cost of living and housing in Chandler, we can talk about what you can expect with regards to employment and wages.
The US Census tells us that the median household income from 2016-2020 in Chandler was $85,796, and the per capita income for the same period was $42,580.
In 2019, the Census reported that the median household income throughout the US was $65,712. So, you can earn significantly more on average working in Chandler than you can nationwide.
Chandler also has a low poverty rate going for it. In nearby Phoenix, the poverty rate is 16.2%, but in Chandler, it is just 7.3%. Incomes in Chandler also are much higher on average than those in Phoenix.
Top employers in Chandler, Arizona include Intel, Wells Fargo, Chandler Unified School District, Bank of America, Chandler Regional Medical Center / Dignity Health, Northrop Grumman, NXP Semiconductors, PayPal, City of Chandler and Microchip Technology.
So, this is a great place to live if you work in the chip manufacturing industry or other high-tech sectors.
Chandler, AZ Education
If you have children, they will most likely attend the Chandler Unified School District, but they might also go to schools that are part of the Kyrene Elementary School District and Tempe Union High School District, Mesa Public Schools, or Gilbert Public Schools. Along with public schools, there are a variety of private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, and other options.
For post-secondary education, students might attend the Chandler-Gilbert Community College, the International Baptist College, Chandler University, Ottawa University, Mesa Community College, Scottsdale Community College, Phoenix College, Carrington College, or another institution operating in the area.
Chandler, AZ Crime
A wide range of educational options is just one of the appeals of Chandler for families. Low crime rates are another.
Sperling’s uses a scale for rating crime where 1 is low crime and 100 is high crime. On that scale, the US average for violent crime is a 22.7, but in Chandler, the rating for violent crime is just 13.2. That is quite a bit lower than the nationwide average!
Property crime nationwide receives a rating of 35.4. It is just a tad lower in Chandler at 34.1.
So, Chandler is a safe place to live, work, and go to school. You can feel comfortable raising your kids here.
Getting Around Chandler, AZ
At present, light rail services do not extend into Chandler. Valley Metro does operate some bus routes in Chandler, however, so you can use these to get around. Valley Metro Rail operates in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, however, and you can connect to the rail system via the bus service.
The vast majority of people who work in Chandler report driving to work on their own. The percentage according to Sperling’s is 78.6%. 10% carpool, 6.6% work from home, and 0.9% take mass transportation. It is likely that the percentage that work from home has increased since the pandemic began.
Sperling’s has data on commute times as well. You will be happy to learn that the average time for commuting in one direction in Chandler is 24 minutes. The US average is 26.4 minutes, so you are saving significant time in Chandler. That adds up to around 5 minutes a day, which over the course of a week is nearly half an hour of your time back.
How is the Weather in Chandler, AZ?
In terms of climate, you should be prepared for hot, dry desert days when you are living in Chandler. Hopefully you love the sun!
Summertime highs can soar up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter lows can fall down to around 41 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that while summers can be intense, winters are pretty mild. There is no snowfall, and only about 9 inches of rain each year.
Leisure and Entertainment in Chandler, AZ
There is a lot to see and do on your days off right in Chandler! Visit the Chandler Museum, the Desert Breeze Park, the Arizona Railway Museum, or Tumbleweed Park. Many local attractions are aimed at children and families.
Other attractions in the greater metro area include the Desert Botanical Garden, Butterfly Wonderland, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the Arizona Museum of Natural History, the Phoenix Zoo and the Phoenix Art Museum.
If you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy nature, you can pay a visit to South Mountain Park and Preserve, Estrella Mountain Regional Park, or San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
What else is there to do while living in Chandler? Sports fans can follow the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Coyotes.
Those who like the arts can attend shows performed by the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Arizona, and the Arizona Opera, among others.
Along with all of these activities and attractions, Chandler, Phoenix, and the surrounding communities also boast plenty in the way of shops, dining and nightlife.