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Top 10 Cities in Arizona with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026

If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your Arizona home, you might be contemplating a job change within your local community. But how challenging will it be to find a new role in your city? To assist you, we present a list of Arizona cities boasting the strongest job markets, characterized by their low unemployment rates.

Many residents move to Arizona for career opportunities, while others are drawn by the state’s appealing lifestyle. Whether you’re seeking a fresh start or relocating for work, understanding the strength of the job market is crucial.

We analyzed demographic data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau to identify the cities with the lowest unemployment rates. By focusing on municipalities with significant populations, we pinpointed those with the most robust job markets in the Grand Canyon State:

For employers, a low unemployment rate signals a thriving community, making Paradise Valley the top choice in Arizona for job seekers and businesses alike.

Continue reading to discover how we identified the cities with the most robust job forces in Arizona.

For more information on employment opportunities in Arizona, check out:

How We Determined the Cities in Arizona with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

To identify Arizona’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000. This analysis included 44 municipalities across the state.

Using data from the latest American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, we evaluated unemployment rates to highlight cities with the best job prospects. We ranked these cities from one to 44, with the top city being the one with the lowest unemployment rate. In cases of ties, the larger city received the higher rank.

If your city didn’t make the top ten, scroll to the end for a comprehensive chart of all cities evaluated. Otherwise, read on to learn more about our top contenders.

1. Paradise Valley

Population: 13,243
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
Paradise Valley tops our list with an impressive 2.7% unemployment rate, showcasing its status as the leading job market in Arizona.

Being number one comes with advantages, including a stable job market.

2. Queen Creek

Population: 28,529
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Queen Creek takes the second spot with a low unemployment rate of 2.9%, proving to be a strong competitor in Arizona’s job landscape.

3. Goodyear

Population: 70,148
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Goodyear secures the bronze medal with a 4.5% unemployment rate, reflecting its vibrant economy.

4. Sahuarita

Population: 26,441
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
Sahuarita ranks fourth with a solid unemployment rate of 4.6%, making it a favorable location for job seekers.

5. Scottsdale

Population: 223,519
Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
Scottsdale, home to 223,519 residents, holds the fifth position with an unemployment rate of 5.4%, indicative of a healthy job market.

6. Gilbert

Population: 223,131
Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
Gilbert is tied with Scottsdale at a 5.4% unemployment rate, demonstrating its appeal to both residents and employers.

7. Chino Valley

Population: 10,879
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
Chino Valley ranks seventh with a 5.5% unemployment rate, offering opportunities in a growing community.

8. Chandler

Population: 245,231
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Chandler comes in at eighth place with a 5.6% unemployment rate, attracting job seekers from across the state.

9. Fountain Hills

Population: 23,051
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Fountain Hills secures the ninth position with a 5.8% unemployment rate, showcasing its potential for job growth.

10. Maricopa

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 45,388
Unemployment Rate: 6.4%
Maricopa rounds out our list at number ten with a 6.4% unemployment rate, still a strong contender among Arizona’s cities.

Conclusion: Unemployment Trends in Arizona

In summary, these are the ten cities in Arizona with the lowest unemployment rates, reflecting their strong job markets. If you’re considering moving to Arizona and want to prioritize employment opportunities, our top ten cities are excellent choices.

For additional insights on job markets across the U.S., visit Zippia for comprehensive resources. If you’re a recent college graduate contemplating relocation, check out which states college grads are most likely to stay in and which ones they leave.

Here’s a look at the cities in Arizona with the highest unemployment rates:

San Luis
Apache Junction
Somerton

Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Arizona

City	Rank	Unemployment
Paradise Valley	1	2.7%
Queen Creek	2	2.9%
Goodyear	3	4.5%
Sahuarita	4	4.6%
Scottsdale	5	5.4%
Gilbert	6	5.4%
Chino Valley	7	5.5%
Chandler	8	5.6%
Fountain Hills	9	5.8%
Maricopa	10	6.4%
Peoria	11	6.9%
Oro Valley	12	7.1%
Florence	13	7.2%
Marana	14	7.2%
Tempe	15	7.3%
Flagstaff	16	7.5%
Buckeye	17	7.8%
Mesa	18	7.8%
Sedona	19	7.9%
Payson	20	8.2%
Sierra Vista	21	8.2%
Avondale	22	8.4%
El Mirage	23	8.5%
Surprise	24	8.7%
Phoenix	25	8.8%
Glendale	26	9.0%
Prescott Valley	27	9.6%
Prescott	28	9.6%
Kingman	29	9.9%
Casa Grande	30	10.3%
Lake Havasu City	31	10.6%
Tucson	32	11.2%
Douglas	33	11.3%
Bullhead City	34	12.0%
Yuma	35	12.2%
Coolidge	36	12.2%
Show Low	37	12.4%
Cottonwood	38	12.4%
Camp Verde	39	12.7%
Nogales	40	14.0%
Eloy	41	14.3%
Somerton	42	14.4%
Apache Junction	43	14.5%
San Luis	44	18.1%

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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These Are The 10 Cities In Arizona With The Lowest Unemployment Rate