#1St. Johns
Apache County · 3,336 peopleStrongest: health A, cost of living A−·lowest: walkability C−
A−Cost–SafetyA−SchoolsAHealthA−JobsC−WalkB−Hazards
St. Johns, #1 on this list · Isaacson Building · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Arizona rankings · 2026
Best small towns in Arizona
St. Johns ranks first of Arizona’s 71 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A+: health (A) and cost of living (A−) are its strongest grades; walkability (C−) is its lowest. 7 of the 71 (10%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
#1A+
#2Clifton
Greenlee County · 3,752 peopleStrongest: cost of living A+, health A−·lowest: hazard risk D
A+Cost–SafetyB+SchoolsA−HealthB+JobsCWalkDHazards
#3Thatcher
Graham County · 5,690 peopleStrongest: safety A, health A−·lowest: jobs & income C
B+CostASafetyA−SchoolsA−HealthCJobsB+WalkBHazards
Where they are: Three of the top 10 are in Maricopa County.
All 71 small towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 139 Arizona towns.
71 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
1St. JohnsApache County · 3,336 people73.5top 2.5%A+Strongest: health A, cost of living A−·lowest: walkability C−
2CliftonGreenlee County · 3,752 people72.1top 3.9%A+Strongest: cost of living A+, health A−·lowest: hazard risk D
3ThatcherGraham County · 5,690 people70.0top 6.7%AStrongest: safety A, health A−·lowest: jobs & income C
5Bagdadunincorporated, Yavapai County · 2,814 people64.8top 17.1%A−Strongest: cost of living A+, health B+·lowest: jobs & income C
6CarefreeMaricopa County · 3,600 people64.4top 18.1%A−Strongest: health A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living C−
8Litchfield ParkMaricopa County · 6,727 people63.2top 20.9%A−Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C−
11TaylorNavajo County · 4,408 people61.7top 25.0%A−Strongest: schools A−, health B+·lowest: walkability C−
12EagarApache County · 4,459 people61.1top 26.8%B+Strongest: cost of living A−, walkability B+·lowest: hazard risk D
13Cave CreekMaricopa County · 5,160 people60.4top 28.3%B+Strongest: health A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living D
16Rincon Valleyunincorporated, Pima County · 6,512 people59.0top 31.8%B+Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk D
21PimaGraham County · 3,181 people57.6top 35.9%BStrongest: health B+, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk C−
22Star ValleyGila County · 2,538 people57.5top 36.0%BStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D
23YoungtownMaricopa County · 7,039 people57.4top 36.2%BStrongest: schools B+, jobs & income B·lowest: hazard risk D
26Corona de Tucsonunincorporated, Pima County · 9,566 people57.1top 37.1%BStrongest: health A, schools A·lowest: walkability D
27Ajounincorporated, Pima County · 3,107 people56.5top 38.6%BStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability A·lowest: jobs & income D
29PageCoconino County · 7,147 people55.4top 41.5%BStrongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety D
30Lindenunincorporated, Navajo County · 2,502 people55.4top 41.6%BStrongest: schools B+, health B+·lowest: jobs & income C
32Citrus Parkunincorporated, Maricopa County · 5,115 people55.0top 42.7%BStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: walkability D
37Kachina Villageunincorporated, Coconino County · 3,212 people53.1top 47.9%B−Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D
40SnowflakeNavajo County · 6,902 people53.0top 48.3%B−Strongest: schools A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: walkability C
41Desert Hillsunincorporated, Mohave County · 2,944 people52.9top 48.7%B−Strongest: health B+, schools B+·lowest: walkability D−
43Pauldenunincorporated, Yavapai County · 4,795 people52.7top 49.2%B−Strongest: schools B, health B·lowest: hazard risk C−
46Heber-Overgaardunincorporated, Navajo County · 3,621 people52.4top 49.8%B−Strongest: schools B+, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income D
47GuadalupeMaricopa County · 5,093 people52.3bottom 49.9%B−Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability A−·lowest: health D
49Doney Parkunincorporated, Coconino County · 6,253 people52.2bottom 49.6%B−Strongest: health A, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
54WickenburgMaricopa County · 8,305 people51.4bottom 47.5%B−Strongest: health B+, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk C
55Red Rockunincorporated, Pinal County · 3,277 people51.1bottom 46.7%B−Strongest: cost of living B+, health B·lowest: walkability D
56Swift Trail Junctionunincorporated, Graham County · 2,859 people51.0bottom 46.4%B−Strongest: cost of living A, health B+·lowest: walkability D
59Catalinaunincorporated, Pima County · 6,489 people50.3bottom 44.4%C+Strongest: health A−, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D
60White Mountain Lakeunincorporated, Navajo County · 2,910 people50.2bottom 44.2%C+Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B+·lowest: jobs & income D
71TollesonMaricopa County · 9,224 people47.1bottom 35.5%C+Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health D
72Williamsonunincorporated, Yavapai County · 6,310 people47.0bottom 35.5%C+Strongest: health A, schools B·lowest: cost of living D
73WelltonYuma County · 2,671 people46.8bottom 35.0%C+Strongest: cost of living A, walkability C+·lowest: hazard risk D
74BensonCochise County · 5,532 people46.8bottom 34.8%CStrongest: schools B+, cost of living B+·lowest: jobs & income D
76Arizona Cityunincorporated, Pinal County · 9,543 people46.3bottom 33.6%CStrongest: cost of living A, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk C−
80Kayentaunincorporated, Navajo County · 4,927 people45.0bottom 30.3%CStrongest: cost of living A, walkability A·lowest: jobs & income D−
81Tuba Cityunincorporated, Coconino County · 7,960 people44.6bottom 29.2%CStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
83Lake of the Woodsunincorporated, Navajo County · 3,250 people44.3bottom 28.5%CStrongest: schools B, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
84ClarkdaleYavapai County · 4,806 people44.2bottom 28.3%CStrongest: safety A, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income C−
86South TucsonPima County · 4,452 people43.9bottom 27.5%CStrongest: walkability A+, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
87San Manuelunincorporated, Pinal County · 3,491 people43.8bottom 27.3%CStrongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D
88HolbrookNavajo County · 4,866 people43.6bottom 26.8%CStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B·lowest: jobs & income C−
89Oracleunincorporated, Pinal County · 3,146 people43.3bottom 26.1%CStrongest: cost of living A−, schools C+·lowest: hazard risk D
90Picture Rocksunincorporated, Pima County · 9,448 people43.1bottom 25.8%CStrongest: schools B+, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
91Avenue B and Cunincorporated, Yuma County · 4,001 people43.1bottom 25.6%CStrongest: cost of living A, walkability B·lowest: health D−
93Avra Valleyunincorporated, Pima County · 6,277 people42.4bottom 24.1%C−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
95Village of Oak Creek (Big Park)unincorporated, Yavapai County · 6,356 people42.1bottom 23.5%C−Strongest: health A−, walkability B−·lowest: cost of living D−
97Chinleunincorporated, Apache County · 4,147 people41.8bottom 23.0%C−Strongest: cost of living A+, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income D−
98ParkerLa Paz County · 3,394 people41.7bottom 22.5%C−Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A−·lowest: jobs & income D
99Fort Defianceunincorporated, Apache County · 3,351 people41.6bottom 22.4%C−Strongest: walkability A−, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D
100SedonaYavapai County · 9,619 people41.5bottom 22.1%C−Strongest: walkability A, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
105BisbeeCochise County · 4,860 people40.7bottom 20.4%C−Strongest: safety B+, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
107GlobeGila County · 7,191 people40.6bottom 20.2%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B·lowest: safety D−
109Dewey-HumboldtYavapai County · 4,604 people40.1bottom 19.2%C−Strongest: schools B, health B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
112Central Heights-Midland Cityunincorporated, Gila County · 2,909 people38.5bottom 16.0%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, schools C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
113Mohave Valleyunincorporated, Mohave County · 2,555 people38.3bottom 15.7%C−Strongest: schools B, walkability B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
116Summitunincorporated, Pima County · 4,896 people37.9bottom 15.0%C−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools C·lowest: jobs & income D
117Lake Montezumaunincorporated, Yavapai County · 4,929 people37.8bottom 14.9%DStrongest: health B, cost of living C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
119WillcoxCochise County · 3,189 people36.6bottom 12.9%DStrongest: walkability A−, schools B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
120Pinetop-LakesideNavajo County · 4,149 people36.2bottom 12.2%DStrongest: health A−, schools B·lowest: safety D
124Cordes Lakesunincorporated, Yavapai County · 3,808 people35.3bottom 11.0%DStrongest: cost of living B, schools B−·lowest: walkability D−
125SuperiorPinal County · 2,611 people35.1bottom 10.7%DStrongest: cost of living A, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income D
126WinslowNavajo County · 8,464 people35.0bottom 10.5%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income D−
128WilliamsCoconino County · 3,473 people34.2bottom 9.7%DStrongest: walkability B+, health B+·lowest: hazard risk D
129Cornvilleunincorporated, Yavapai County · 3,618 people34.1bottom 9.5%DStrongest: health A−, schools C·lowest: hazard risk D
130Three Pointsunincorporated, Pima County · 5,254 people34.0bottom 9.5%DStrongest: cost of living A, schools C−·lowest: hazard risk D−
132Colorado CityMohave County · 3,484 people32.8bottom 7.9%DStrongest: schools B, health C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
134Whiteriverunincorporated, Navajo County · 4,545 people32.3bottom 7.3%DStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability C−·lowest: jobs & income D−
136San Carlosunincorporated, Gila County · 4,973 people30.1bottom 4.9%D−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools C−·lowest: hazard risk D−
137Whetstoneunincorporated, Cochise County · 2,971 people28.3bottom 3.5%D−Strongest: schools B, health C·lowest: walkability D−
138Golden Valleyunincorporated, Mohave County · 8,567 people28.3bottom 3.5%D−Strongest: cost of living C+, schools C+·lowest: jobs & income D
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within Arizona. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town in Arizona?
Among 71 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, St. Johns (Apache County) ranks first, with an A+; health (A) and cost of living (A−) are its strongest grades; walkability (C−) is its lowest. Clifton and Thatcher follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within Arizona. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (71 in Arizona). 67 smaller places have subject grades only; 1 town of 2,500+ lack enough data for a grade; Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the Arizona page.
Go deeper
All Arizona rankings →More Arizona lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live139 towns · #1 St. JohnsMost affordable towns139 towns · #1 CliftonSafest towns55 towns · #1 ClarkdaleTowns with the best schools139 towns · #1 Sierra VistaHealthiest towns140 towns · #1 Kachina VillageBest towns for jobs & income140 towns · #1 Paradise ValleyMost walkable towns140 towns · #1 TempeTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk140 towns · #1 ParkerBest towns for the outdoors140 towns · #1 PageMost historic towns140 towns · #1 BisbeeTowns with the most civic life68 towns · #1 SedonaTowns with the least snow36 towns · #1 ClarkdaleDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns36 towns · #1 FlagstaffDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters138 towns · #1 Fort Mohave and Mohave ValleyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers138 towns · #1 Mohave ValleyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers138 towns · #1 WilliamsDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes140 towns · #1 Paradise ValleyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes132 towns · #1 Avenue B and CDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns72 towns · #1 Queen CreekDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries40 towns · #1 CottonwoodDescribed, no letters
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