Living in Queen Creek, AZ
Queen Creek is the 399th-largest city in the US, home to about 90,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 51.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.3 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 89,770+51.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $635,4004.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,210/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $141,978median, per year
- Price level
- 103.3US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 67° / 105°lows 43° / 77°
- Average commute
- 31 min26% work from home
- State income tax
- 2.5%top rate, flat
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County: Pinal County, Maricopa County
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7, no daylight saving)
Elevation: about 1,404 ft
Metro area: Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Cost of living in Queen Creek
The median home in Queen Creek is worth $635,400 and the median household earns $141,978 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,210 a month, about 19% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area at 103.3, with housing at 121.2 and goods at 95.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,500 here. Arizona taxes wages at a top rate of 2.5% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Arizona is 8.54%.
What would my salary be worth in Queen Creek?
Queen Creek weather
Average highs run from 67°F in January to 105°F in July, and January nights average 43°F. It gets 13 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 168 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are November to April.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Queen Creek
People and work
The median resident is 37.0 years old, and 45% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 90% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 31 minutes; 26% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 37.0306th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 45%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 90%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,13242.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 3.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 2012median year
Who moves to Queen Creek, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Riverside (Riverside County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Navajo County, AZ, Yavapai County, AZ and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Pinal County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: lightning, wildfire, inland flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
+0.8% in a year
Up 36% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
7% good days
56 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Queen Creek
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Chase Field 28 miles
- University of Phoenix-Arizona 25 miles
- Grand Canyon University 34 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Queen Creek
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport AZA | 4 mi | 978,296 |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport PHX | 25 mi | 25,595,723 |
| Tucson International Airport TUS | 88 mi | 1,959,789 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Queen Creek
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | 25 mi | 85,991 | $13,916 | 21% |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | 21 mi | 64,674 | $14,694 | 67% |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | 22 mi | 1,202 | $32,411 | 83% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Queen Creek
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 11, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 28 and the first frost comes around December 10.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Apache Junction 5 NE, AZ, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Queen Creek.
Wildfire smoke in Queen Creek
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Queen Creek on about 43 days a year, including about 6 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Queen Creek
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 22,323 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Queen Creek
Downtown Queen Creek is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Creek Unified District | Pre-K to 12 | 15,065 | 15 | 20.5 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Mesa Unified District (55,821 students), Chandler Unified District (41,421 students), Gilbert Unified District (31,560 students), Higley Unified District (12,387 students), Florence Unified School District (8,731 students), Casa Grande Union High School District (3,938 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Queen Creek's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Queen Creek's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Lake Elsinore, CA62% matchCompare
- Ontario, CA62% matchCompare
- Menifee, CA61% matchCompare
- Indio, CA61% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Queen Creek
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Queen Creek
- Mount Lemmon Ski Valley 74 miles
- Sunrise Park Resort 130 miles
- Elk Ridge Ski Area 139 miles
- Arizona Snowbowl 144 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Queen Creek
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 67°F.
- Data The city is growing fast (+51.4% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 168 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Commutes are long: 31 minutes each way on average.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 56 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
Queen Creek report card from locals
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Queen Creek through locals' eyes
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Cities near Queen Creek
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Tan Valley, AZ | 7 mi | 109,189 | $410,100 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Gilbert, AZ | 9 mi | 287,285 | $575,100 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Chandler, AZ | 13 mi | 278,748 | $507,800 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Mesa, AZ | 15 mi | 513,656 | $408,000 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Tempe, AZ | 20 mi | 190,571 | $455,400 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Maricopa, AZ | 24 mi | 78,362 | $377,200 | 103.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Queen Creek ranks 1st of 29 in our best suburbs of Phoenix ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Queen Creek with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Queen Creek a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 168 days a year at 90°F or hotter, long commutes. Compare Queen Creek side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Queen Creek?
The Census Bureau estimates Queen Creek had 89,770 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 59,308 in April 2020 (+51.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Queen Creek?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,500 in the Queen Creek area. The median household here earns $141,978.
When is the best time to visit Queen Creek?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, November to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 105°F and January 67°F for daytime highs.
What county is Queen Creek in?
Queen Creek spans Pinal County (74%), Maricopa County (26%) by share of the city's land. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Queen Creek in?
Queen Creek is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7 all year, with no daylight saving time).
What is the elevation of Queen Creek?
About 1,404 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Arizona have a state income tax?
Yes. Arizona has a flat income tax with a top rate of 2.5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Queen Creek. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Apache Junction 5 NE, AZ station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.