A hotbed of tech development Chandler, Arizona has transformed since its founding in 1912. Originally established as a ranch for irrigation engineering, the city is now known as a hotbed of technology and industrial companies. Now the fourth-largest city in Arizona, Chandler is growing so quickly that the Chandler Economic Development Department projects the population to grow from 272,439 residents in 2021 to 309,100 residents by 2030. Chandler has made a name for itself as a “City of Innovation” for its focus on attracting industry-leading technology companies like Intel, Northrop Grumman, Microchip Technology and NXP Semiconductors, which all operate manufacturing campuses in the city. The manufacturing industry represents 20% of all jobs in Chandler, with 316 total manufacturing companies and 27,870 manufacturing employees, according to the city’s economic development department. The tech jobs in Chandler tend to offer higher salaries, and the median income in the city is $91,299, compared to $58,620 in Arizona. However, the cost of living in Chandler also tends to rise with the pay, and the compensation data provider Payscale ranks the cost of living as 15% higher than the national average, with the cost of housing 66% over the national average. Housing in demand According to the Cromford Report, a Phoenix-based real estate analysis publication, Chandler has maintained its status as a seller’s market even as nearby Tempe, Paradise Valley and Cave Creek have cooled off. The median home sale price as of December 2023 was $580,000, compared to $550,000 for Maricopa County as a whole. On average, homes are on the market for 48 days before being sold, and typically sell for 1.64% below the asking price. Houses in Chandler range from around $350,000 for a two-bedroom home to the south in the Sunbird Golf Resort community, to more than $1 million in the Ocotillo area. Many of the homes in the city are Mediterranean-inspired, with terra cotta roofs, stone details and arches over windows and entryways. While some homeowners have invested in grass lawns, most properties embrace the natural beauty of the desert landscape, with cacti and succulents providing some greenery among the sandy brown tones of the yards. Explore the Sonoran Desert without leaving the city Given Chandler’s location in the Sonoran Desert, the climate is a draw for many residents, and outdoor recreation is plentiful. The city boasts a ratio of one park per square mile, with a total of 60 parks within the city limits. Most parks are landscaped to match the natural growth of the environment, with dry stream beds and drought-tolerant plants. Because the temperatures can reach an average high of 105 degrees in the summer, public pools are a must, and many of Chandler’s city-managed aquatic centers function like water parks with slides, float rivers, splash pads and more to help visitors keep cool. Hiking and mountain biking are big attractions in the area, and protected spaces like the San Tan Mountain Regional Park and the South Mountain Park and Preserve offer access to rugged trails. For those who prefer to remain on the pavement, most of the city’s parks include paved trails. Horseback riding is another popular activity for residents, and the Koli Equestrian Center offers private and group trail rides for riders over the age of 6 in the heart of the Gila River Indian Reservation, just south of Chandler. An arts scene as diverse as the demographics Chandler’s dedication to arts and culture is written on the city streets – literally. Murals throughout the city exemplify the color and diversity of the city. Rather than being regarded as vandalism, street art is embraced as an expression of city pride, like the vibrant floral imagery at the Overstreet development, overlaid by the Wizard of Oz quote “We're Not In Kanas Anymore, Toto”. Beyond the visual art, the streets of Chandler are often garnished by the sound of live music from one of the local restaurants and bars. The music scene in Chandler is vibrant, with jazz, R&B, soul and country artists showcasing their signature sounds at local venues like Bourbon Jacks American Tavern on a nightly basis. The theater community is similarly robust, with an improv theater opening in central Chandler. The city hosts the 10-day Chandler International Film Festival every year since 2016, showcasing unique, independent films from filmmakers around the world. The Chandler Center for the Arts serves as the central hub for the city’s culture and creativity, hosting live performances and rotating art exhibits that are free to the public. A premier shopping destination Chandler has a robust shopping culture, with three shopping malls within the city, including one outlet mall for bargain hunters. The Chandler Fashion Center features the only Arizona location of the world’s largest sports store, Scheels, as well as several high-end retailers like Apple, Coach and Lululemon. The Fashion Center also houses attractions like a movie theater and an escape room. The Shoppes at Casa Paloma, an outdoor shopping mall, includes local boutiques and national retailers alike, as well as restaurants and juice bars. Phoenix Premium Outlets, located off Interstate 10, includes discount goods from 90 national retailers. In addition to the shopping malls, Downtown Chandler is lined with boutique stores for desert souvenirs, many of which sell turquoise jewelry made by artisans on the nearby reservations. Chandler is also a city that is committed to its food scene. In the downtown square, visitors can access more than 40 locally owned restaurants within the span of a few blocks, from Korean-style barbeque to Neapolitan-style pizza. The city honors its southwestern roots with the annual Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, a culinary competition where participants gather in authentic 1880-style chuck wagons to cook five courses: bread, beans, meat, potatoes and dessert. The largest gaming enterprise in the valley, Gila River Resorts & Casinos, operates three casinos in Chandler, offering opportunities for gaming, dining and entertainment. The revenue from casinos goes to funding infrastructure, education and public safety for the Gila River Indian Community, as well as local municipalities through the Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact. The nightlife excitement largely stays confined to the bars and restaurants: According to data provided by the Chandler police department, the crime rate in 2023 was lowest in the city’s history, with reports of violent crimes down 12% and property crime down 25% from 2022. The overall crime rate in 2023 was 19.5 per 1,000 residents, down from 18.9 in 2022. Best public school district in Arizona The Chandler Unified School District is ranked as the No. 1 best public school district in Arizona by Niche and has an A-plus rating. The district features a mix of public and charter schools, with several specialty schools like the Knox Gifted Academy and the Arizona College Preparatory High School. Schools in Chandler are regularly ranked by US News and World Report as some of the best in the country, particularly for their STEM programs. Colleges and Universities like Arizona State University have a distinct presence in Chandler as well. The ASU Chandler Innovation Center, a partnership between the City of Chandler and Arizona State University, functions as a small business incubator with classroom space, co-working areas and event space. Chandler-Gilbert Community College, which has four locations between the two neighboring townships, offers practical degree and certification programs that can be completed in as few as two semesters. Transit, bike lanes and nearby airports make travel easy One reason for Chandler’s growth is the grid layout of major thoroughfares surrounding the city. Interstate 10, which connects commuters to Phoenix to the northwest and Tucson to the south, is accessible within 10 miles of the Santan Freeway, which bisects the city. Residents can get to Phoenix within around 30 minutes and Tucson within 90 minutes. Chandler is served by Valley Metro, the transit authority that serves Phoenix and surrounding areas. There are two bus routes that run through the city, including the 136 route that runs north-to-south along Gilbert Road, and the 156 route that runs east-to-west along Chandler Boulevard. The Chandler Flex program offers an on-demand public transportation service where potential riders may request a shared ride via an app or a phone call and get a lift to their destination for around $2 per ride. For cyclists, the flat landscape of the valley combined with the 327 miles of paved bike lanes and paths incorporated into the streetscapes makes it easy to get around. The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is about 12 miles east of Chandler and is served by Allegiant Air and Sun County Airlines, while the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 18 miles away and served by 24 airlines for domestic and international flights. Learn more on the Chandler city guide.