Living in San Tan Valley, AZ
San Tan Valley is an unincorporated community in Pinal County, Arizona, with about 109,000 residents (Census Bureau, 2020-2024 average). It has no city government of its own; the county provides most services. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.3 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population
- 109,189ACS 2020-2024 average
- Median home value
- $410,1004.2 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,085/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $96,713median, per year
- Price level
- 103.3US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 68° / 105°lows 42° / 78°
- Average commute
- 36 min19% work from home
- State income tax
- 2.5%top rate, flat
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County: Pinal County
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7, no daylight saving)
Elevation: about 1,516 ft
Metro area: Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Cost of living in San Tan Valley
The median home in San Tan Valley is worth $410,100 and the median household earns $96,713 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.2 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,085 a month, about 26% 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 San Tan Valley?
San Tan Valley weather
Average highs run from 68°F in January to 105°F in July, and January nights average 42°F. It gets 9 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 January to April and November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit San Tan Valley
People and work
The median resident is 34.9 years old, and 24% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 82% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 36 minutes; 19% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.9180th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 24%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 82%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,44175.8 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 2007median year
Who moves to San Tan Valley, 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 San Tan Valley
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Phoenix-Arizona 32 miles
- Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe 29 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near San Tan Valley
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport AZA | 11 mi | 978,296 |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport PHX | 33 mi | 25,595,723 |
| Tucson International Airport TUS | 82 mi | 1,959,789 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Frost dates and fall color in San Tan Valley
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 30, 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 29 and the first frost comes around December 12.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Florence, AZ, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for San Tan Valley.
Wildfire smoke in San Tan Valley
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 34,083 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in San Tan Valley
Downtown San Tan Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence Unified School District | Pre-K to 12 | 8,731 | 14 | 17.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Chandler Unified District (41,421 students), Queen Creek Unified District (15,065 students), Higley Unified District (12,387 students), J. O. Combs Unified School District (3,934 students), Coolidge Unified District (2,815 students), Apache Junction Unified District (2,440 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
San Tan Valley's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to San Tan Valley's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Indio, CA72% matchCompare
- North Las Vegas, NV67% matchCompare
- Enterprise, NV67% matchCompare
- Spring Valley, NV67% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near San Tan Valley
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near San Tan Valley
- Mount Lemmon Ski Valley 67 miles
- Sunrise Park Resort 126 miles
- Elk Ridge Ski Area 145 miles
- Arizona Snowbowl 148 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in San Tan Valley
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 68°F.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 168 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Commutes are long: 36 minutes each way on average.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 56 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
San Tan Valley report card from locals
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San Tan Valley through locals' eyes
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Cities near San Tan Valley
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Creek, AZ | 7 mi | 89,770 | $635,400 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Gilbert, AZ | 16 mi | 287,285 | $575,100 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Chandler, AZ | 20 mi | 278,748 | $507,800 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Mesa, AZ | 22 mi | 513,656 | $408,000 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Maricopa, AZ | 27 mi | 78,362 | $377,200 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Tempe, AZ | 28 mi | 190,571 | $455,400 | 103.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
San Tan Valley ranks 9th 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 San Tan Valley with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is San Tan Valley a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no standout advantages on cost or climate; the trade-offs are 168 days a year at 90°F or hotter, long commutes. Compare San Tan Valley side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of San Tan Valley?
About 109,189, the Census Bureau's American Community Survey average for 2020 to 2024. As an unincorporated community, San Tan Valley is not included in the yearly city population estimates.
How much do you need to earn to live in San Tan Valley?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,500 in the San Tan Valley area. The median household here earns $96,713.
When is the best time to visit San Tan Valley?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to April and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 105°F and January 68°F for daytime highs.
What county is San Tan Valley in?
San Tan Valley is in Pinal County, Arizona. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is San Tan Valley in?
San Tan Valley is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7 all year, with no daylight saving time).
What is the elevation of San Tan Valley?
About 1,516 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 San Tan Valley. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Florence, AZ station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.