Moving to & Living in Ahwatukee, AZ – Details You Really Want to Know

Sunset over Ahwatukee, AZ

The city of Ahwatukee is located 18.2 miles from downtown Phoenix. 

It is bordered by South Mountain, the I-10 freeway, the city of Chandler, and the Gila River Indian Community.

Before you decide to relocate, let’s look at more of the benefits of living in Ahwatukee. 

History of Ahwatukee

Early settlers moved to Ahwatukee in the late 1860s. But the first major development in the area was built by Dr. William Van Bergen Ames and spanned 12,0000 square feet in size.

Known as the Mystic House, it was later willed to St. Luke’s Hospital. Extensive construction projects didn’t begin until Presley Development began the first housing development in the area in the 1970s.

The name Ahwatukee comes from the Crow language, although there are disputes about its origin. It likely means either flat land, house of dreams, or land on the other side of the hill.

Ahwatukee is home to some notable residents.

  • Beth Lawrence, a noted music writer and performer
  • Kyle Vanden Bosch, former NFL player

Ahwatukee is a good place to live because of its dense suburban environment, easy access to Phoenix, and top schools.

Let’s talk more about the top benefits of moving to Ahwatukee.

1. People Living in Ahwatukee, AZ – Population & Demographics

Ahwatukee population growth has been significant in recent decades. Prior to 1970, the city didn’t even exist.

Today, there are over 100,000 residents. And the city is still growing.

If you’re relocating to Ahwatukee, there are many different types of people, cultures, and social groups in the area.

The current Ahwatukee population is 111,609 residents.

Young family living in Ahwatukee, AZ

Residents have a median age of 41.8 years old.

Ahwatukee demographics are made up of 52% Caucasian, 26% Hispanic or Latino, 8% Asian, and 7% African American residents.

The area’s gender ratio is 51% female and 49% male.

The median household income in Ahwatukee is $106,295 per year. 

2. Cost of Living in Ahwatukee, AZ

How much does it cost to live in Ahwatukee, AZ?

The average cost of living in Ahwatukee is higher than the national and state average. While goods and services typically cost less than the national average, housing costs significantly more.

Compared to the rest of Arizona, residents can expect to pay higher prices for groceries, housing, and utilities. While transportation, goods, and services are available for a lower price than the Arizona average.

Typical Ahwatukee Living Expenses

  • Ground Beef $6.17
  • Milk (regular 1 gallon) $4.78
  • Pizza $12.12
  • Dentist Visit $120.50
  • Average Cost of Gasoline (per gallon) $3.54
  • Average Cost of Electricity (per month) $193.93
  • Doctor Visit $99.00
  • Potatoes $4.60

3. Ahwatukee Real Estate | Buying or Selling a Home in Ahwatukee?

The Ahwatukee real estate market includes new homes situated on spacious lots. Many of the homes have three bedrooms or more, making them perfectly sized for the area’s many families. 

The homeownership rate in Ahwatukee is 70%.

Once you decide to move to the area, you can discover many different Ahwatukee, AZ homes. for sale

The average price of a home in Ahwatukee is $545,700.

Because the average down payment is typically 3% to 20% of the home’s value, home buyers can expect to pay $16,371 to $109,140 as a down payment.

Buyers can expect to pay a median sale price of $271 per square foot.

The Ahwatukee property tax rate is 0.570%, so the average homeowner pays $3,110 in property taxes each year.

The Ahwatukee rent is $1,697 per month. This means the average price of rent in Ahwatukee is $147 higher than the average rent in Arizona.

4. Ahwatukee Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Ahwatukee

Where should you live in Ahwatukee?

Since it is an urban village, people living in Ahwatukee have Phoenix mailing addresses.

Neighborhoods in Ahwatukee

Once you start shopping for a home in the area, you’ll find many options in the area. The following list includes just a few of the best Ahwatukee neighborhoods.

  • Ahwatukee Equestrian Estates
  • The Sanctuary 
  • Fairways at the Foothills
  • Tapestry Canyon
  • Portofino

Ahwatukee operates nine parks and other amenities in the area for all residents to enjoy. 

Check them out on the Ahwatukee Parks and Recreation site

Newcomers can find convenient shopping in Ahwatukee. Locals typically shop at the Ahwatukee Foothills Towne Center, the Shoppes at Casa Paloma, and Ranch Circle Plaza.

On average, the commute from Ahwatukee to downtown Phoenix takes about 27 minutes.

5. Ahwatukee, AZ Weather & Climate

Like the rest of the Sonoran Desert, Ahwatukee has a hot, desert climate. Ahwatukee weather tends to involve extremely hot summers and short, mild winters.

The climate in Ahwatukee is semiarid, so don’t expect snow during the colder months.

The average temperature in Ahwatukee sees highs of 66°F and lows of 39°F in the wintertime. During the hottest months of the year, residents can expect highs of 103°F and lows of 75°F. 

Ahwatukee typically receives 8.4 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow. While this city rarely gets snow, residents can travel just a few hours north to enjoy all of their favorite snow activities.

Among other outdoor activities, Ahwatukee residents can enjoy playing pickleball, golf, and tennis.

6. Things to Do in Ahwatukee

After moving to the area, residents can find a variety of things to do in Ahwatukee.

Foothills Golf Club

For a can’t-miss thing to do in Ahwatukee, one of the best outdoor activities is Foothills Golf Club. This golf club features blue lakes, rolling fairways, and 65 bunkers on 7,000 yards of space. Designed by the internationally acclaimed architects Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, this is a Championship course.

 

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Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E Clubhouse Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85048 (480) 460-4653

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

To discover one of the best things to do in Ahwatukee, visit the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. Besides an abundance of trampolines, the park contains rock climbing walls and other features that will push your abilities to the limit. If you have kids, this is one of the best places to visit in the area.

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, 4816 E Ray Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85044 (602) 663-9340

Ahwatukee Park 

For one of the best parks and landmarks in the area, check out Ahwatukee Park. Thanks to its playground, picnic tables, and grass field, it is one of the best Ahwatukee attractions for families.

Ahwatukee Park, 4700 E Warner Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85044 

Ahwatukee Farmers Market

Visitors can discover one of the top things to do in Ahwatukee by visiting the Ahwatukee Farmers Market. Whether you want to shop for locally grown produce or indulge in grass-fed beef, there’s something for everyone. As one of the most popular points of interest, this weekly event is popular among visitors and locals alike.

Ahwatukee Farmers Market, 4700 E. Warner Road (623) 848-1234

Additional Ahwatukee Attractions

7. Ahwatukee Restaurants

From Ahwatukee’s oldest eatery to delicious baked goods, try out one of Ahwatukee’s top places to eat and discover new kinds of cuisines.

Nothing Bundt Cake

As one of the top restaurants in Ahwatukee, Nothing Bundt Cake is the place to go for baked goods. While the sizes and flavors vary, the only product sold is bundt cakes.

Nothing Bundt Cake, 4722 E Ray Rd #14, Phoenix, AZ 85044 (480) 753-1121

Rustler’s Rooste

If you love steaks and traditional American cuisine, Rustler’s Rooste is one of Ahwatukee’s top places to eat. This western-themed restaurant features regular live music events and even has an appetizer made from authentic rattlesnake.

Rustler’s Rooste, 8383 S 48th St, Phoenix, AZ 85044 (602) 431-6474

Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen

To discover one of the top restaurants in Ahwatukee for Italian cuisine, check out Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen. This family-run restaurant features chicken parmigiana, four-cheese ravioli, and other popular dishes.

Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen, 4848 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85048 (480) 961-0208

8. Jobs in Ahwatukee

The average salary in Ahwatukee is $62,265 per year.

The Arizona state income tax rate in Ahwatukee is 2.5%. 

The Ahwatukee unemployment rate is similar to Phoenix’s unemployment rate of 3.4% because of Ahwatukee’s close proximity to the city.

If you’re looking for Ahwatukee jobs, the following companies are some of the best places to work in Ahwatukee.

  • Infosys
  • Amazon
  • Intel Corporation
  • Deloitte
  • Wells Fargo

9. Ahwatukee Schools

There are around 27,902 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old. Altogether, children make up 25% of the population.

Thanks to its safe streets, beautiful parks, and great schools, Ahwatukee is an excellent place for families to live.

Kyrene School District is the main Ahwatukee school district.

Schools in Ahwatukee

There are many top-ranked private and public schools in Ahwatukee that students can attend. 

  • BASIS Ahwatukee
  • Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary School
  • Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
  • Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School
  • Kyrene de las Lomas Elementary School
  • Kyrene Centennial Middle School

The closest colleges and universities to Ahwatukee are GateWay Community College-Washington Campus and Arizona State University Tempe Campus.

Students and others will enjoy the free Ahwatukee library.

10. Crime Rate in Ahwatukee

Is Ahwatukee a safe place to live? Because of its quiet streets, Ahwatukee is a safe place to live and work. 

The crime rate in Ahwatukee is 1,591 per 100,000 people. 

Ahwatukee is protected by the Phoenix Police Department’s South Mountain Precinct

You can check out the Ahwatukee crime map to see where recent crimes have occurred. 

11. Essential Ahwatukee Information

  • Square Miles: 35.8 square miles
  • County: Maricopa County
  • Zip Code: 85048
  • Area Code: 480

Like the rest of the state, the time zone in Ahwatukee is Mountain Standard Time. As a result, residents don’t have to change their clocks during Daylight Savings Time.

The elevation in Ahwatukee is 1,283 feet above sea level.

Map of Ahwatukee, AZ

Find plenty of other things to do, places to eat, and beyond with this Ahwatukee map.

Tips for Living in Ahwatukee

  • To beat the heat, try to plan outdoor activities early in the morning and late at night. Use plenty of sunblock before going outside. 
  • Because this is a fairly suburban area, you should plan on going to neighboring Phoenix for nightlife options.
  • Summers get hot, so you should only buy a home that is already equipped with air conditioning. 

Moving to Ahwatukee, AZ?

This popular suburban area is a safe community to live in. If you’re trying to find the right Arizona city to relocate to, there are many different reasons to move to Ahwatukee. 

If you need a real estate agent, contact an experienced Ahwatukee real estate team like our partners at SPACE.

About the Author
SPACE
Go Phoenix Metro is the go-to resource for guides about moving to and living in the Phoenix, AZ metro area.

We're also partnered with the SPACE, Arizona's #1 real estate team. This allows us to offer you the best local information as well as assistance with buying or selling homes across the valley.