Trying to decide between Peoria and nearby Phoenix suburbs for your next home? Your monthly costs matter as much as list price. If you want a clear, practical look at how far your budget goes, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll compare housing prices, property taxes, utilities, and HOA fees in Peoria versus Phoenix, Glendale, and Scottsdale, plus see a simple monthly cost example for each city. Let’s dive in.
Big picture: What your budget buys
On price alone, each city looks different. Here are the latest citywide median sale prices from Redfin (all home types):
- Peoria: Median $534,950
- Phoenix: Median $450,000
- Glendale: Median $429,990
- Scottsdale: Median $925,000
Use these medians as a starting point, not the finish line. Within Peoria, prices vary by neighborhood and product type. You’ll find older areas and attainable condos or townhomes alongside master-planned and golf-oriented communities like Vistancia and Westbrook Village. To compare apples to apples, look at similar home types and sizes across cities.
Property taxes: City rate vs total bill
Arizona property taxes have multiple layers. Cities publish a primary and secondary levy per $100 of assessed value, but your total bill also includes county, school district, community college, and special districts. That means two homes with the same price in different parts of the metro can have different total tax bills.
City portion examples (FY2025–26):
- Peoria: about $1.44 per $100 assessed value (city portion).
- Phoenix: primary about $1.2658 and secondary about $0.8141 per $100 (combined roughly $2.0799 per $100).
- Glendale: total about $1.4538 per $100.
- Scottsdale: combined about $0.9124 per $100.
A quick way to budget is to use a countywide effective rate. A commonly cited estimate for Maricopa County is around 0.47% of market value (varies by parcel and taxing districts). You can learn more about county context in the Maricopa County Assessor’s annual report and cross-check the effective rate context at TaxByCounty’s Maricopa page.
How to get a parcel-level estimate
- Look up the property in the Maricopa County Assessor or Treasurer systems to see assessed values and taxing districts. Start with the Assessor’s annual report for process context, then use the parcel lookup on the county site when you have an address or parcel number.
- Remember that the city levy is only one part of your total bill.
- Ask your lender or title company to estimate the escrow for taxes and insurance during underwriting.
Quick tax comparison using a 0.47% effective rate
This is a simple illustration to compare cities.
- Peoria median $534,950 → about $2,514 per year (about $209 per month).
- Phoenix median $450,000 → about $2,115 per year (about $176 per month).
- Glendale median $429,990 → about $2,022 per year (about $168 per month).
- Scottsdale median $925,000 → about $4,348 per year (about $362 per month).
Utilities: What moves monthly bills
Utilities can shift your real monthly costs more than you think, especially in summer.
- Electricity: Arizona’s average residential price was about 15.7 cents per kWh as of April 2025 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Expect higher summer bills because air conditioning is the main driver. Time-of-use or demand-based plans can affect bills, so confirm the plan and provider at the address. Much of the West Valley, including large parts of Peoria, is served by APS while some East Valley and Scottsdale areas are served by SRP.
- Water, sewer, trash: Many Valley households budget roughly $50 to $140 per month, depending on irrigation, pools, and household size. If your HOA covers water or trash, that can shift costs between your utility line items and HOA dues.
- Internet: Plan for $40 to $100+ per month, depending on provider, speed, and bundling.
Tip: When you’re comparing homes, ask for recent 12-month utility histories so you can see summer peaks and winter lows.
HOA costs: What to expect and what to ask
HOA fees are common on condos, townhomes, and many newer master-planned single-family neighborhoods. Realtor.com’s listing analysis shows HOAs on a growing share of listings, with a national median monthly HOA fee in the low-$100s about $125 to $135 in recent reporting. Locally, Peoria communities vary widely. Many single-family master-planned communities fall in the $50 to $200 per month range, while condo or amenity-heavy communities often run $200 to $400 per month in real-world examples. What that fee covers can make a big difference.
Questions to ask before you commit:
- Is the HOA monthly, quarterly, or annual, and what exactly is included (landscaping, water, trash, exterior maintenance, amenities)?
- Are there special assessments, capital project plans, or required club memberships?
- Can you review the HOA budget, reserves, and recent meeting minutes during due diligence?
Example monthly cost comparison
Example scenario for comparison only: 20% down, 30-year fixed mortgage at about 5.98% (Freddie Mac PMMS weekly average, late Feb 2026), property tax budgeted using a 0.47% effective rate, utilities estimated at $307 per month (electricity $167, water/sewer/trash $80, internet $60). See weekly mortgage rate context at Freddie Mac PMMS.
- Peoria (median $534,950): principal and interest about $2,560 + taxes about $210 + utilities about $307 → about $3,078 per month with no HOA. Add a typical $150 HOA → about $3,228 per month.
- Phoenix (median $450,000): principal and interest about $2,155 + taxes about $176 + utilities about $307 → about $2,638 per month with no HOA. With $150 HOA → about $2,788 per month.
- Glendale (median $429,990): principal and interest about $2,058 + taxes about $169 + utilities about $307 → about $2,534 per month with no HOA. With $150 HOA → about $2,684 per month.
- Scottsdale (median $925,000): principal and interest about $4,430 + taxes about $362 + utilities about $307 → about $5,099 per month with no HOA. With $150 HOA → about $5,249 per month.
These estimates are useful for side-by-side comparisons. Your exact payment will change with rate, down payment, loan type, property taxes by parcel, insurance, and actual utilities.
Which suburb fits your goals
- If you want master-planned amenities and a wide range of home styles at mid-market prices, Peoria offers strong value. You’ll see options from low-maintenance condos to larger single-family homes with access to parks, trails, and community facilities.
- If you’re watching entry-level price points or want central access, Phoenix and Glendale often deliver lower median purchase prices, especially for older homes or smaller footprints.
- If you prioritize a luxury or resort-style condo lifestyle and accept higher carrying costs, Scottsdale tends to lead the metro on pricing.
No matter where you land, compare similar property types and what monthly costs include. For example, a condo with a higher HOA that covers water and exterior maintenance can be competitive with a single-family home when you add utilities and upkeep.
Next steps for a smart, local comparison
Use this quick checklist to fine-tune your budget:
- Get a custom market snapshot for your target neighborhoods and home types in Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, or Scottsdale.
- Pull a parcel-level tax estimate using county tools, and confirm any special districts.
- Request 12 months of utility bills when possible, and note summer peaks.
- Verify the utility provider and rate plan options at the address.
- Ask for HOA documents early, including budgets, reserves, and recent assessments.
If you’d like help comparing specific homes and monthly costs line by line, reach out to Jenna Walsh PLLC for a local, concierge-style review.
FAQs
Is Peoria cheaper than Scottsdale for homeowners?
- On city medians, yes. Peoria’s median sale price is around $535,000 while Scottsdale’s is about $925,000, which typically leads to lower monthly ownership costs in Peoria for similar home types.
How do I estimate my property taxes in Maricopa County?
- Start with the county’s parcel tools for assessed values and taxing districts and use an estimated effective rate around 0.47% for quick budgeting, then refine with lender or title estimates.
What are typical HOA fees in Peoria and what do they include?
- Many single-family master-planned communities run about $50 to $200 per month, and condo or amenity-heavy communities often range $200 to $400, covering items like landscaping, water or trash, exterior maintenance, and amenities.
How much do utilities cost in the Phoenix area?
- Electricity averages about 15.7 cents per kWh statewide, with higher summer bills due to AC. Water, sewer, and trash commonly run about $50 to $140 per month, and internet often lands between $40 and $100.
What drives monthly costs beyond the mortgage payment in Peoria?
- Property taxes, HOA dues, seasonal electricity for AC, water and irrigation needs, internet, and insurance all affect your monthly total. Reviewing 12-month histories gives the best picture.
