Desert suburbs and retirement communities in the Phoenix metro area
Set about 25 miles northwest of Phoenix, the city of El Mirage has a comparatively small-town appeal, with lower-priced homes, a slower pace of life and less urban sprawl. However, El Mirage's roughly 35,000 residents still enjoy easy access to big-city conveniences around the Phoenix metro area. “El Mirage is often overlooked because it’s mostly residential, but the homes are really nice,” says Cindy Freitas, Realtor with West USA Realty, who’s lived in El Mirage for 13 years. Homes here are generally set in planned subdivisions, and the city’s popular with retired folks, offering a handful of 55-plus communities. “It’s great for retirement, but you don’t have to be retired,” says Josiah Miller, a Realtor with Josiah Miller Homes who’s lived in the area for 20 years.
Construction and manufacturing are major local industries, and many locals work at LogistiCenter at Copperwing, a business park with offices for companies like Microsoft, Tippmann Innovation and Cives Steel. Luke Air Force Base is 7 miles away, and residents may hear occasional air traffic. “That’s where they train pilots on the F35,” Miller says. “You’re probably going to hear jets flying over.”
El Mirage is a vibrant area that offers a great quality of life with plenty of amenities.
El Mirage residents travel with ease along the bustling and scenic Highway 60.
1/2
Home prices lower than neighboring cities
“People get more bang for their buck here,” Freitas says. “The same house in Surprise costs less in El Mirage.” The median home price in El Mirage is about $360,000, compared to $430,000 in Surprise and $450,000 in Phoenix. Most homes here were built during the late 20th century through today and are set in planned, sidewalk-lined subdivisions; new traditional Spanish-inspired homes with desert-colored stucco exteriors and clay-tiled roofs are typical. There are also several 55-plus neighborhoods in the city, including Pueblo El Mirage, a golf course community with one- to two-bedroom manufactured and ranch-style homes, as well as shared access to a fitness center, pool and other private amenities.
Experience the low-maintenance living and durability of Spanish homes in El Mirage.
El Mirage offers the perfect balance of modern conveniences and natural beauty.
1/2
Over a dozen local parks and shared spaces
Spread over more than 50 acres of public land, El Mirage offers about a dozen parks and shared spaces, including the El Mirage Community Garden where locals grow veggies and flowers. The 13-acre Gateway Park is the city’s largest park, and it’s a favorite for its playgrounds, playing fields, skate park and dog park. Next door at the Northwest Valley YMCA, locals can cool off in the pool on hot summer days. Golfers can hit the links at the nearby, semi-private, 18-hole Pueblo El Mirage Golf Course, and Pueblo El Mirage residents can enjoy the community’s clubhouse, pools and pickleball courts. For desert mountain views, Estrella Mountain Regional Park is about 20 miles away, with over 30 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.
Discover endless fun for kids of all ages at Gateway Park's playground near El Mirage.
Gateway Park's natural beauty and amenities are a highlight of El Mirage.
Welcoming visitors with a charming park sign at Estrella Mountain Regional Park near El Mirage.
1/3
Dysart Unified School District receives high marks from Niche
El Mirage is part of the Dysart Unified School District, which serves about 24,000 students and earns an overall B-plus from Niche. The district partners with Rio Salado College to offer dual-enrollment courses for high school students. At the B-rated Dysart High, students may also take career and technical education courses in fields like graphic design and marketing.
Dysart Middle School in El Mirage is an academic hub of the city.
Dysart High in El Mirage is a top-rated institution that provides academic excellence.
1/2
Lots of authentic Mexican restaurants
The city doesn’t have a traditional downtown, but most of El Mirage’s shopping and dining scene is clustered in the city’s north end. Grocery stores here include Walmart and Food City, and there are a handful of fast-food eateries. Thunderbird Road is lined with locally owned restaurants, including La Bamba Mexican Grill—popular for its homemade tortillas and street tacos. “I would say that’s probably El Mirage’s strongest suit: a lot of Mexican restaurants—the authentic ones, not the chains,” Miller says. Nearby, Humberto’s is known for their rolled tacos, and Mariscos El Sinaloco specializes in authentic Sinaloa-style seafood. “You’re also close to lots of restaurants in surrounding areas, like Surprise, Rio Mirage Cafe, and Sun City,” Miller says.
Experience the warm and inviting ambiance of Rio Mirage Cafe near El Mirage.
Savor the bold and flavorful Mexican cuisine at Humberto's in El Mirage.
1/2
Local events with artisans and musicians
Community events are often held at Bill Gentry Park, found north along Thunderbird Road. The monthly Music in the Park concert series features a wide range of local artists and musical genres, from country to Japanese Taiko drumming. In April, the Spring Faire offers food, games and the Children's Entrepreneur Market, where kids show off their talents and sell their creations, like snacks and stickers. September’s Fiesta de la Gente is a celebration of the community’s Hispanic culture and includes traditions like live mariachi music and Lucha Libre wrestling. Other annual events include the Fall Harvest Festival in October and December’s Winterfest, which includes photo-ops with Santa and a parade.
Getting around from El Mirage
Locals can hop on Highway 60 for a 10-mile drive to Glendale or a 25-mile drive to Phoenix. “Less commuters live out here because it’s kind of a pain during rush hour, but there are people who do it every day,” Miller says. Most streets here are sidewalk-lined and bikeable, though only major thoroughfares, like Thunderbird Road, have dedicated bike lanes; Valley Metro buses also stop in the city and travel the Phoenix metro area. St. Joseph's Westgate Medical Center is about 8 miles away in Glendale, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 30 miles away.
Crime and environmental factors
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, El Mirage's rates of property crime decreased by about 50% between 2013 and 2023. Local rates of both property and violent crime are generally lower than those in Arizona and the nation.
Extreme heat and the risk of wildfires are ongoing environmental concerns here. Summer temperatures regularly top 100 degrees, and community pools are a popular way to beat the heat. There haven’t been any recent wildfires in El Mirage, but the El Mirage Fire Department responds to local emergencies.
Written By
Travis Rocha
Photography Contributed By
John Williams
Video By
Peter Medawar
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Melissa Brauer,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in El Mirage, AZ sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in El Mirage, AZ over the last 12 months is $355,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover this charming 2-bed, 2-bath home offering a 3-car garage! An inviting front patio sets the mood for the delightful interior. You'll LOVE the bright & airy open floor plan featuring tile flooring and vaulted ceilings that add to the spacious feel. The impeccable kitchen displays recessed lighting, a prep island with a breakfast bar, granite counters, plenty of cabinetry with crown
Beautiful 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in Cactus Park Estates! This charming property features mature landscaping, stone accent details, and a 3-car garage with built-in cabinets for additional storage. As you enter, you'll find a welcoming interior with vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, a stylish color palette, and tile flooring in all the right areas. The home includes formal living and
Welcome to your dream home! This property boasts a fresh interior paint with a neutral color scheme, creating a calming and inviting atmosphere. The kitchen is equipped with all stainless steel appliances. The primary bedroom is a true retreat with a spacious walk-in closet. The primary bathroom is designed for convenience with double sinks. Step outside to a covered patio, perfect for outdoor
ADA-friendly 3BR/2BA home with step-free entry and thoughtful accessibility features. Enjoy a heated saltwater play pool with power lift and a low step-in jetted tub. Backyard offers a fully enclosed Arizona room with A/C and an insulated he/she shed with wall A/C. Washer, dryer, refrigerator, microwave, and shed TV convey with the sale as personal property, provided at no additional cost. Seller
Welcome to your new home in Sundial!Step inside this charming single-level gem with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a 2-car garage, all set in a low-maintenance yard for easy living.From the moment you enter, you'll love the inviting formal living room, perfect for relaxing or hosting guests. The spacious eat-in kitchen features built-in appliances and a convenient pantry. Sliding
This well-maintained original-owner home is nestled in a charming, established neighborhood with no HOA and offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 1,978 square feet of comfortable living space. The backyard is a private retreat featuring a sparkling Pebble Tec pool—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Inside, you'll find a spacious main floor great room and an upstairs loft that provides additional
We are currently making final preparations for this home to be available. We make Pre-Leasing easy! Apply now and, once you’re approved, take this home off the market by paying a Pre-Lease Hold Fee; ask your Leasing Professional for more information. Once the home is made ready, we'll notify you that it's available for touring and for you to accept or decline. If you decline the home, we'll be
New paint, appliances and much more awaits you. NO HOA! No carpet in this 3 bedroom 2 bath home. Kitchen new appliances open to front window dining nook. Large great room tile.2 bedrooms up front & guest bath. Primary bedroom and private bath includes dual sinks and tub/shower. 2 car garage, large backyard. $55 tenant benefit pkg to be added to rent includes - renters insurance, a/c filter
Special offer: Pay just 50% of your base rent (taxes and fees not included) as your security deposit, valid for new applicants who sign a 12-month lease by November 30, 2025. Offer is contingent on application approval and execution of a lease agreement. Other terms and conditions may apply. This property is professionally managed by AMH Living, a leading single-family rental company. We expect
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
