Located in northeastern Phoenix, Desert Ridge is a master-planned community that began developing in the early 1990s. Today, it’s a place where shopping centers, schools and golf courses are all within easy reach. With major freeways nearby and a lower median than neighboring Scottsdale, the area appeals to a wide variety of homebuyers.
Single-family homes make up the largest share of housing in Desert Ridge. While several of the homes were built in the early 1990s, new construction continued into the 2020s. Spanish and Pueblo Revival-style designs in neutral tones line most area streets, and yards often have native landscaping. Some subdivisions have houses with less than 2,000 square feet of living space, but Aviano is known for its larger, semi-custom homes.
In general, prices range from the low $500,000s to nearly $2.5 million. Condos and townhomes are also available. Most units sell between the mid-$300,000s to the low $700,000s, but condos in The Luxe typically sell for around $1 million to $1.5 million. Desert Ridge’s median sale price is around $700,000, which is lower than the median in nearby Scottsdale. According to Judy Hudek, Realtor with Realty One, that relative value makes the community a popular choice for buyers who want to be close to Scottsdale without the higher housing costs. "It's one of my go-to areas to suggest when they want to be in the area but aren't quite in that price point," she says.
One advantage of living in the community is its convenient access to shopping and dining in Desert Ridge Marketplace. “They made the sidewalks here really wide, so there’s actually really high walkability if you’re close enough,” Hudek says. This open-air shopping mall has a variety of stores, including Nordstrom Rack, Target and Albertson’s. There are also several spots to eat, including Flower Child, which has gluten-free and plant-based options, and Barrio Queen, a go-to for street tacos and cocktails.
Right next door to the mall is High Street, a walkable district with a downtown feel. Here, you can browse boutiques such as Conscious Coterie, stop by Soda Jerk Co. Milkshake Bar for an ice cream or visit Blue Martini for drinks and live entertainment.
Several events take place in Desert Ridge Marketplace throughout the year. Some examples include:
Families are served by the Paradise Valley Unified School District. The community is home to Desert Trails Elementary and Wildfire Elementary schools, both of which get A ratings from Niche. Pinnacle High School also earns an A rating and offers a variety of performing arts electives, including programs developed through a partnership with the Kennedy Center. Nearby private school options include Rancho Solano Preparatory School's Greenway Campus.
The subdivisions all have small parks or community pools, and Cashman Park is a shared green space with a shaded play area, basketball courts and a picnic pavilion. Wildfire Golf Club is another local attraction. The club has two public 18-hole courses, each designed by a World Golf Hall of Fame member, one by Arnold Palmer and the other by Nick Faldo.
If you're looking to spend more time outdoors, the Reach 11 Recreation Area is nearby. It includes a sports complex and roughly 18 miles of multiuse paths that wind through desert scenery. The routes are wide and surfaced with hard-packed gravel, making them suitable for biking and horseback riding, as well as walking.
There are a few bus stops in the community, but most people rely on cars for day-to-day travel. Hudek says many locals commute to Downtown Phoenix, and easy access to Loop 101 and State Route 51 helps shorten the drive. Downtown and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are both about 20 miles south. Depending on traffic, the trip usually takes between 25 and 50 minutes.
Regional vice president sees opportunities in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley
1 day ago
Sale marks largest homebuilder land deal in Arizona this year
1 day ago
Priciest publicly marketed transactions ranged from $8.6 million to $14 million
Sep 15, 2026
Daren Freeman
Compass
(623) 246-4270
61 Total Sales
1 in Desert Ridge
$921,000 Price
Patricia Gore
Coldwell Banker Realty
(623) 526-5588
62 Total Sales
2 in Desert Ridge
$618K - $1.2M Price Range
Jennifer Taege
Compass
(623) 432-8504
71 Total Sales
1 in Desert Ridge
$900,000 Price
Judy Hudek
Realty ONE Group
(623) 400-3005
43 Total Sales
1 in Desert Ridge
$590,000 Price
Allen Studebaker
Compass
(602) 560-6185
151 Total Sales
5 in Desert Ridge
$600K - $1.7M Price Range
Kim Panozzo
HomeSmart
(623) 888-8019
879 Total Sales
5 in Desert Ridge
$799K - $1.4M Price Range
On average, homes in Desert Ridge, Phoenix sell after 58 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Desert Ridge, Phoenix over the last 12 months is $691,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
|
Median List Price
$709,990
|
Median Sale Price
$691,000
|
|
Median Single Family Sale Price
$919,999
|
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$609,990
|
|
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$465,000
|
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
|
|
Last 12 months Home Sales
400
|
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%
|
|
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$366
|
|
|
Number of Homes
5,811
|
Number of Homes for Sale
110
|
|
Median Year Built
2006
|
Months of Supply
3.30
|
|
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,666
Significantly above the national average
1,935
|
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,670
|
|
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,429
|
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
814
|
|
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
|
|
Phoenix homebuyers are slowly returning, but fewer listings could make finding a home more challenging.
$1,994 - $2,659 per month
$1,532 - $2,917 per month
$1,821 - $3,392 per month
$1,320 - $2,165 per month
$2,976 per month
|
Number of Homes for Rent
53
|
Median Rent
$3,300
|
|
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,325
|
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,750
|
|
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,750
|
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$3,300
|
|
Median Condo Rent
$2,500
|
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,500
|
|
Total Population
19,111
|
Median Age
43
|
|
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
|
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
|
|
Population over 65
17.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
|
|
|
Median Household Income
$134,059
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
|
Average Household Income
$168,418
|
|
High School Graduates
97.7%
|
College Graduates
65.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
|
|
Advanced Degrees
28.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
|
% Population in Labor Force
69.2%
|
|
Annual Precipitation
7''
|
Average Winter Low Temperature
45°F
|
|
Average Summer High Temperature
107°F
|
Annual Snowfall
0''
|
Bikeability
Walkability
Transit
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
North Phoenix living with access to trails, shopping and golf
Sought-after community in northern Scottsdale with golf and community association
Walkable master-planned North Phoenix community with golf club
Highly rated schools, nearby trails and access to Loop 101
Luxury living surrounded by scenic mountain ranges
Homes on large lots near north Scottsdale’s parks and golf courses
