All About Chandler, AZ, Real Estate

Ready to make the Valley of the Sun your next home? Check out Chandler, AZ. The high quality of life makes this city one of the best places to buy a home in the Phoenix metro. Get to know the Chandler real estate market and about the lifestyle that awaits in this thriving Valley suburb.

A brief look at Chandler, AZ

Did you know Chandler is Arizona’s fourth-largest city by population? Living in this suburb has numerous advantages thanks to its size and being part of the Phoenix metro. Its past accolades from multiple media sites include:

• One of the best places to live in Arizona.
• Great place for raising a family.
• Finding jobs in technology.
• Low crime rates.

Chandler’s been on the cutting edge from its beginning, when its founder began master-planning its development around a central park, with canals and irrigation systems, and plans for a resort hotel. The concept was ahead of its time at the turn of the last century.

Over time, it evolved from an agricultural hub producing cotton and alfalfa to a World War II-era training base for pilots to the bustling manufacturing and technology center it is today. Modern Chandler is home to top employers in medical technology and research, aerospace, and technology.

Chandler sits firmly inside Maricopa County, part of the sprawling greater Phoenix metro. The city is south-southeast from downtown and juts up against the Gila River Indian Reservation on the south. Gilbert, Mesa, and Tempe border the city to the north. The Loop 202 highway runs through central Chandler, making connecting to flights at the Phoenix-Mesa Airport or I-10 easy. 

The cost of living in Chandler, AZ

Expect to spend more living in Chandler–about 15% more, based on 2022 figures from Sperling’s Best Places Index. Four of the six indexed categories ran above national spending averages, with only groceries and health care coming in underneath. 

Housing was the primary reason living in Chandler cost more. Its median prices ran 45% above the national average and 26% above the Arizona average. But residents should also expect larger budgets to pay for utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous costs like entertainment or dining out. 

MIT’s Living Wage calculator didn’t single out Chandler’s required living wage, but residents of Maricopa County with a family of four and one working adult would need to make $41.03 an hour to cover the essentials.

Chandler is well aware of its cost of living, as it monitors how its taxes and utilities charges stack up against other Phoenix metro suburbs. As of July 2022, it was among the lower end for water and utility bill services. 

Is Chandler, AZ, growing?

Over the past few years, Chandler has experienced significant expansion, with its borders incorporating new suburbs and the population booming. From a mere 30,000 residents in 1980, the city’s population now is passing 280,000. It increased 1.7% between 2020 and 2022. 

Around a quarter of its population was 18 or younger, while 11% were 65 and older. Locals tended to be highly educated, with 94% having earned a high school diploma and 45% having a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income was $91,200 from 2017-2021.

Residential growth is expected to continue as Maricopa County’s and Phoenix’s overall populations reach five million people.

Chandler real estate overview

Living in Chandler combines affordability, convenience, diversity, and access to opportunity. With an estimated 112,000 housing units as of September 2023, the city’s residential real estate runs from starter homes to large luxury estates without sacrificing its small-town feel. 

In September 2023, Chandler had 495 listings at a median price of $565,000. That came out to $294 per square foot. Prices were up 1.6% year-over-year.

Overall, though, Chandler’s real estate market is following the nationwide sales trend of 2023 with a significant reduction of available homes. However, its median single-family home prices have been adjusting and were down 7% for the year-to-date as of August 2023.

Existing real estate ranged from $46,900 for a two-bedroom mobile home to $3,445,000 for a seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom estate on 1.4 acres with a lake view.

Condos or townhomes in Chandler, AZ

Phoenix is a vacation destination, and many investors purchase townhomes or condos as vacation rentals. Others want a low-maintenance unit to serve as their winter second home.

Condos and townhomes listings in Chandler accounted for approximately 15% of the existing real estate market in September 2023. The 74 active listings ranged from a studio at $229,500 to $849,000 for a three-bedroom townhome over 2,500 sq ft with a two-car garage.

Condo and townhome properties are spread throughout Chandler, but some areas you can look for these properties include:

• Boardwalk of Chandler
• Thunderbird
• Cambric Courts
• The Vicino
• Ocotillo
• Fulton Ranch
• Via de Cielo

What is the property tax rate for Chandler, AZ?

Residential properties in Arizona define a mil as $1 per every $100 of property valuation. Owners pay primary and secondary taxes. The combined millage for Chandler in 2022-2023 was 1.1026, placing it in the middle of Phoenix’s suburbs. The tax rate was almost half that of Tempe but more than Scottsdale.

Neighborhoods in Chandler, AZ

Chandler’s many neighborhoods include established communities with tree-lined streets to master planned developments with amenities like pools and fitness centers. The areas you’ll likely hear about as you explore Chandler real estate include:

• Downtown Chandler – A hip, urban center packed with dining, shopping, galleries, and entertainment. Residents live near public parks and great schools.
• Lakeshore at Ocotillo – Find lakefront homes with access to the best schools in Chandler.
• Clemente Ranch – Developed in the 1990s as a suburban area, Clemente Ranch is zoned for the A-rated Chandler Unified School District. A local park and walking trails add to its attractiveness. 
• Sunbird Golf Resort – Enjoy great golfing and views in a gated, 55+ community designed to feel and act like a small town. It sprawls across 360 acres and includes a clubhouse and recreational center.
• West Chandler– The closest part of the city to Phoenix and Tempe, West Chandler has more affordable homes and perks like the local brewery and the city museum.
• Provinces– The city’s first master-planned neighborhood remains a top choice because of its walkability and commuting access to major highways. It also has top-rated schools.
• Fulton Ranch– One of Chandler’s newest neighborhoods, Fulton Ranch promotes an upscale lifestyle with lakefront homes and access to a community clubhouse. 

Waterfront properties in Chandler, AZ

This is the Sonoran Desert, so no natural bodies of water are in Chandler. However, its design and plan created canals and lakes for irrigation and water storage. The result is some lakefront properties. 

Two of the most popular neighborhoods with lakefront are Ocotillo, located off Alma School Road, and the newer Fulton Ranch development across the street. You can also find lakefront in Balboa Way and Kerby Estates.

Golf course communities in Chandler, AZ

With many golf courses based here, naturally, some developed to be golf course communities with all the amenities you’d want. 

Ocotillo is the most prominent golf course community available in Chandler. This master-planned community with a highly rated golfing resort is equally prized for its beautiful homes that wind along the fairways and lakes. Residential amenities include walking paths, public open spaces, and sports areas. And it’s very close to the Chandler Fashion Mall, an easy drive up Price Road.

How is golf in Chandler, AZ?

Chandler, like much of Phoenix, is something of a golf mecca, with around 15 golf courses located throughout the city. Chandler’s desert climate means that the game can be enjoyed year-round. While summers are scorching, the rest of the year offers perfect weather conditions for golfers.

The 4.5-star Ocotillo Golf Resort is probably Chandler’s most renowned golf facility. It features 27 championship holes with lush fairways and water features that include waterfalls. The Ted Robinson-designed course is known for its challenging layout and well-maintained greens.

San Marcos Golf Course opened its green fairways to players in 1913 and never looked back. Renovated in 2014, the course has a traditional layout rated par 72 with tree-lined fairways and a charming atmosphere.

The semi-private Lone Tree Golf Club has excellent value for money and is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, with par 71 off the back tees. It has the scenic San Tan Mountains as its backdrop and water features at the forefront. The challenging course has been used for PGA qualifiers.

Play in the pristine Sierra Estrella mountains at the Whirlwind Golf Club on the Gila River Indian Reservation. This 36-hole facility is part of the Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino and was carefully crafted to preserve the native landscape. It’s a highly regarded golf destination with two distinct courses, Cattail and Devil’s Claw.

What areas are near Chandler, AZ?

As part of the greater Phoenix area, some top-rated places to work and play are a short drive from Chandler. 

• Tempe – Just 14 miles north-northwest of Chandler, Tempe attracts many visitors with its jam-packed festival calendar and entertainment venues. Indulge in its award-winning restaurants or get your sweat on at top outdoor recreation spots, including Papago Park, Big Surf Waterpark, and Tempe Town Lake.
• Scottsdale – Head west on the 101 to find yourself in one of Arizona’s most popular cities. Enjoy the vacation lifestyle when you visit the golf courses and luxury resorts. Scottsdale is also known for its art galleries and nightclubs.
• Glendale – This metro city is located 38 miles from Chandler. It’s home to the University of Phoenix Stadium, which hosts the local NFL games and other major events.
• Mesa – An 8-mile trip due north on Highway 87 will bring you to this city, where you can enjoy a day at the Arizona Museum of Natural History or Golfland Sunsplash. The shows at the Mesa Amphitheater and Nile Theater are easy to reach. 
• Gilbert – A hop, skip, and jump next door, highly suburban Gilbert has more parks, restaurants, and entertainment spots to visit. It’s also surrounding the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. 
• Paradise Valley – Named for its stunning mountain views, it is packed with resorts, spas, and upscale amenities. The town includes hiking trails and famous golf courses. 
• Phoenix – Of course, life in the Valley of the Sun would not be complete without the attractions of its largest city, which is just 15 minutes away from downtown Chandler. Here, you will find the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo, the best southwestern restaurants, and prime shopping in outlets and boutique stores. 

What to know about living in Chandler, AZ

Part of the city’s attraction and contributing to its higher housing prices is the Chandler Unified School District, one of Arizona’s largest and top-performing school districts. But multiple school districts service Chandler, so if this matters to you, check your address.

It is hot, though, as summer temperatures reach over 100F for days. The good news is winters tend to be mild, so there is ample reason to take advantage of the Sonoran Desert parks and preserves from Chandler.

Living in Chandler is an incredible experience for many people. The city’s rapidly growing population keeps attracting people because of its nice weather, excellent job prospects, and great schools. Additionally, its proximity to Phoenix gives residents access to all the major attractions that bring in millions of tourists annually. 

If you’re looking at Chandler real estate, a local real estate agent can be your resource to zero in on what part of this city matches all the amenities you’re looking for.