Set on the Mogollon Rim of northeast Arizona’s White Mountains, the small Navajo County city of Show Low was once a 100,000-acre ranch. Two settlers played a game of cards for the land in the 1870s, deciding that whoever “showed the lowest" won — hence the city’s name. Show Low’s main road, Deuce of Clubs, is a nod to this story.
With cooler year-round temperatures than other nearby Arizona cities, many travel here to escape the heat. “Visitors who come here for Show Low’s climate during the summer end up moving here permanently from hotter cities like Mesa or Phoenix,” says Cliff Pettingill, resident and Century 21 Broker. “It suits older residents who want a slower pace, because there’s really no entertainment scene here. But young people usually move away when they’re old enough, looking for the faster pace.”
Home to many entrepreneurs, Show Low's economy is fueled by small, independently owned businesses. Metal fabrication and distribution are the city’s leading industries; local businesses include White Mountain Steel and Advanced Metal Products. Tourism also plays a key role, with Show Low and Fool Hollow Lake attracting visitors for fishing and camping in the summer. Plans for development here include expanding retail spaces to further diversify the economy and give residents more shopping variety.
Show Low's economy is fueled by small, independently owned businesses.
Advanced Metal Products contributes to Show Low's leading industry.
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Large lots and plenty of privacy
The median home sale price in Show Low is around $470,000, higher than the national median of $410,000. The city's housing stock features ranch-style, farmhouse and New Traditional homes with Craftsman-inspired details, typically situated on large, open lots of a half-acre or more. “Land size is a big draw for prospective homebuyers,” Pettingill says. “They like the privacy. You don’t move to a place like this unless you’re looking for a lot of land and privacy.” Home price is largely dependent on lot size. Condos are found along Highway 260.
Homes in Show Low have a median sale price of $470,000.
The city of Show Low features Ranch-style and Farmhouse homes.
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Navajo County’s top district
Local kids are part of the Show Low Unified School District, ranked the top school district in the county by Niche with an overall B-plus. The A-minus rated Show Low High is the highest ranked in the district, offering college credit, technical education and honors courses.
Show Low High earns an "A" from the AZ Department of Education in 2025.
Sequoia Village High School is located in the west side of Show Low.
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Lakes, off-roading and Show Low Days
Known for boating, fishing and camping, the 150-acre Fool Hollow Lake and Fool Hollow Recreation Area are surrounded by towering pines. Locals head to the lake for weekend trips to the campground and fishing for large and smallmouth bass. Similarly, the 100-acre Show Low Lake features a campground and fishing docks. Frontier Park is the most popular greenspace in the city, with baseball fields, tennis courts and sand volleyball courts. Each summer, the park hosts Show Low Days, a family-friendly festival with live music, food vendors and games. Thrill-seekers might head to the Maverick Motorized Trail in nearby Pinetop-Lakeside for off-road adventures on motorcycles and ATVs.
Frontier Park is the most popular greenspace in the city of Show Low.
Fool Hollow Lake attracts tourists to Show Low for fishing and camping in the summer.
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Deuce of Clubs for dining and shopping
The heart of Show Low is the city’s main street, Deuce of Clubs, lined with fast-food options, sit-down Mexican eateries and classic American restaurants. On Deuce of Clubs, locals can also catch movies at the 5-screen Show Low WME Theatre, grab groceries or shop at locally owned boutiques. In the fall, aspiring filmmakers gather at the theatre for the Show Low Film Festival, showcasing their projects to local audiences. While there’s really no nightlife in Show Low, the nearby Pinetop is home to the Hon-Dah Resort and Casino, hosting occasional comedy acts and small concerts. There are plans for a TJ Maxx in the Cal Ranch shopping center in spring 2025 that will span 24,000 square feet, part of the city’s plans to develop more retail.
Grab breakfast or lunch in Show Low at Berie's Outlaw Roadhouse Eatery.
WME Theatres in Show Low offers five screens for viewing new releases.
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Connecting to Pinetop-Lakeside and commuting to Phoenix
US Route 60 runs east-west through Show Low and eventually connects it to Globe, approximately 88 miles southwest, and Phoenix, about 175 miles southwest. State Route 260, another east-west highway, links Show Low to Payson, roughly 90 miles to the west. State Route 77 connects Show Low to Holbrook about 50 miles north. “Surprisingly, we do get rush hour traffic on Deuce of Clubs in the morning and late afternoon,” Pettingill says. “It’s not very heavy, but it’s heavy enough to where people try to avoid it at around 7:30 am and around 5 pm.” Most residents get around via car, but Show Low has public transportation options like the Four Seasons Connection (FSC) Bus, a local transit system serving Show Low and the neighboring community of Pinetop-Lakeside. Additionally, the White Mountain Connection offers regional bus service, linking Show Low to other nearby communities such as Snowflake, Taylor and Holbrook. When it comes to air travel, the nearest major airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, approximately 175 miles southwest of the city. Show Low Regional Airport (SOW) offers limited commercial service and is not considered a major airport. The nearest major hospital is Summit Healthcare.
Lower than state and national property crime rates
According to FBI statistics, violent crime rates in Show Low are generally on par with state figures and national figures, while property-related crimes are lower than both. Residents can report crimes to the Navajo County Sheriff's Office Victim Services, with 24/7 mobile support. During heatwaves, the city’s air quality tends to decrease due to factors like car exhaust and the existing arid desert climate.
Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Eric Nagaran
Video By
Jessica Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephanie Crain,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Show Low, AZ sell after 92 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Show Low, AZ over the last 12 months is $315,000, down 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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