Moving to & Living in Chandler, AZ | Everything You Need to Know

Located about 22 miles from downtown Phoenix, the city of Chandler is a beautiful area. This local community is bordered by Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and Ahwatukee.

Let’s talk about the benefits of living in Chandler and see whether this city is the right fit for you.

History of Chandler, AZ

The city of Chandler was founded on May 16, 1912 by a veterinary surgeon named Dr. A.J. Chandler. He purchased the land and studied irrigation engineering, becoming a pioneer in the area’s early canal system.

The area grew rapidly into an 18,000-acre ranch at which point Chandler hired architects to subdivide his ranch. Shortly after, he advertised Chandler Ranch sites both locally and nationally.

Chandler’s nickname falls under the umbrella of the Silicon Desert due to major companies in the area such as Intel.

Chandler is known for its annual Ostrich Festival, which rose in popularity during the 1910s due to the local ostrich farms. There was a high demand for ostrich plumes that women liked to wear in their hats.

Some of the most notable people who have lived in Chandler include:

• MLB baseball player Cody Bellinger
• NFL football players like Cameron Jordan and Terrell Suggs
• Former WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels
• Eddie Basha Sr. who founded the local Bashas’ grocery store chain

Now that you have an idea of the area’s history, here’s what you need to know before moving to Chandler.

1. People of Chandler – Population & Demographics

How many people live in Chandler? The area has grown from around 30,000 residents in 1980 to more than 300,000 now. Newcomers are steadily relocating to Chandler as the area continues to thrive.

The Chandler population is about 307,311 people with a median age of 38 years old.

Chandler demographics include 53% Caucasian, 21% Hispanic or Latino, 13% Asian, and 7% African American. The gender ratio is 51% male and 49% female.

About 52% of people living in Chandler are married with around 2.6 people per household.

The median household income in Chandler is $98,664 per year which is about $24,000 higher than the national average.

2. Chandler Neighborhoods

Where should you live in Chandler? There are plenty of safe and comfortable parts of town. Some of the top Chandler neighborhoods include:

• Downtown Chandler
• Ocotillo
• Sun Groves
• Sun Lakes
• Carino Estates
• San Marcos Estates
• West Chandler
• Provinces Master Community
• Cantabria Shores
• Cooper Commons

Check out our full guide to learn more about the best neighborhoods in Chandler!

If you have kids or want a nice place to hang outside, Chandler operates over 80 parks and other amenities for all residents to enjoy. Check them out on the Chandler Parks and Recreation site.

Chandler covers a geographic area of 65.5 square miles toward the southeastern border of Maricopa County. The city’s main zip codes include 85224, 85225, 85226, 85248, 85249 and 85286. The main Chandler area code is 480.

The time zone in Chandler is Mountain Standard Time (ST) and it’s one of the few areas of the country that doesn’t observe Daylights Savings Time.

Chandler is about 1,211 feet above sea level.

3. Cost of Living in Chandler, AZ

How much does it cost to live in Chandler, AZ? The average cost of living in Chandler is 13% higher than the national average and about 6% higher than the Arizona average.

Some of the higher than average expenses include housing, utilities, and transportation. While you could see slightly lower than average pricing for groceries and healthcare costs.

The average monthly utility bill in Chandler is $192.38.

The Chandler property tax rate is 0.640%, which equals about $3,200 in annual property taxes for a $500,000 home.

The state income tax rate is a flat 2.5%.

Here are some of the average Chandler expenses you can expect according to Numbeo:

Typical Chandler Living Expenses

• Milk (regular 1 gallon) $3.64
• Eggs (1 Dozen) $4.26
• Potatoes (5 lb bag) $1.52
• Bread (1 loaf) $3.08
• Average Cell Phone Bill $48.67
• Average Internet Bill $89.83
• Average Cost of Gasoline (per gallon) $3.92
• Average Cost of Utilities (per month) $192.38
• McDonald’s Burger Meal (1/4 Pounder) $10.14
• Regular Cup of Coffee $4.56
• Movie Ticket (1st run) $11.00

4. Crime Rate in Chandler

Chandler is a safe place to live. The crime rate in Chandler is 20% lower than Arizona’s average. It is also 14% lower than the national average.

With about 1,990 crimes per 100,000 people, residents of Chandler can feel safe and secure living in the area.

The local Chandler Police Department (CPD) employs 362 sworn officers (including over-hires) and 177 civilians.

If you’d like to do additional research on local safety, you can check out this Chandler crime map.

5. Chandler, AZ Weather

The average temperature in Chandler varies between highs of 105° F and lows of 81° F during the summer. Winter temperatures range from highs averaging 66° F and lows around 40° F.

You can expect a hot, dry climate in Chandler. During the year, Chandler’s weather averages only about 9 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow.

When is the best time to visit Chandler? The time of year will depend on what you want to do.

You should plan on January, February, and March for the cooler months. July and August hottest tend to be the hottest months of the year.

6. Things to Do in Chandler

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Chandler, this list will give you a few options to get started.

Top Attractions

• Crayola Experience: As one of the best Chandler attractions you can enjoy all year round, the Crayola Experience is every artist’s dream.
• Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Lone Butte: Play the slots, grab a bingo card, or enjoy table games at this popular casino in Chandler. It offers access to a lounge, a steakhouse, and all the games you could ever want.
• Tumbleweed Park Recreation Center: This local park in Chandler offers residents access to tennis courts, a rec center, and a children’s playground. It is also the location of the annual Ostrich Festival.
• KOLI Equestrian Center: Visit the KOLI Equestrian Center for the chance to experience local horseback riding. This can’t miss thing to do in Chandler offers birthday parties, corporate events, carriage rides, wagon rides, and more.
• Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center: When it comes to outdoor activities in Chandler, this local pool is always a fan favorite.

 

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Entertainment, Museums, & Arts

• Chandler Museum: If you’re looking for culture in Chandler, then look no further than this top-rated museum. It is a popular destination focused on providing visitors with the chance to see fascinating traveling exhibits.
• Chandler Center for the Arts: This popular Chandler attraction hosts a 1,500-seat concert hall where you can catch live concerts, plays, comedian shows, and more. The venue also has a fine arts gallery with sculptures, paintings, and other exhibits.
• Harkins Theatres Chandler Fashion 20: Harkins is the top-rated local movie theater for new films. They also occasionally feature popular reruns as promotions.

Parks & Outdoors

• Desert Breeze Park: Discover a lake, a children’s splash pad, sport courts & fields, and a playground at this beautiful park in Chandler.
• Dr. AJ Chandler Park: This local business park frequently plays host to local festivals, holiday parties, and more.
• Veterans Oasis Park: Enjoy this Chandler park’s recreation area with walking trails and a children’s playground. The park is also home to a visitor center that offers educational programs throughout the year.

Shopping

• Chandler Fashion Center Mall: Head over to this local mall for the most convenient shopping in Chandler.
• The Shoppes at Casa Paloma: Get easy access to a wide variety of popular name brand stores at this nearby Chandler shopping center.

 

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7. Places to Eat in Chandler

Searching for the top restaurants in Chandler? Check out these popular destinations.

One of Chandler’s top places to eat is DC Steak House. This old-school chophouse offers a quiet scene where you can enjoy surf ‘n’ turf and other delicious dishes along with a full bar.

 

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Another top-rated restaurant in Chandler is SanTan Brewing. Feast on some tasty pub grub while listening to live music and washing everything down with your favorite drink.

Then there is Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, where you’ll find some of the best American comfort food in Chandler with a Texas twist.

8. Chandler Real Estate

The Chandler real estate market offers a wide variety of homes, apartments, and condos for its residents. At this time, the homeownership rate in Chandler is 65%.

Check out local Chandler, AZ homes for sale.

The average price of a home in Chandler is $546,800 at a median sale price of $290 per square foot.

If you’re thinking about buying a Chandler home, the average down payment is between 3% and 20% depending on the type of loan.

Interested in Chandler rent options? The average price of rent in Chandler is $2,250 per month.

A trusted real estate team like SPACE will be able to help you find the information you need if you’re moving to Chandler.

9. Chandler Schools

There are about 67,364 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old living in Chandler, making up around 24% of the population.

Chandler is an excellent place for families to live thanks to its strong schools and safe communities.

Home to its own local Chandler Unified School District, some of the top Chandler schools include:

• Basha Elementary School
• Santan Elementary School
• BASIS Chandler
• Basha High School
• Hamilton High School
• Chandler High School

If you’re searching for colleges and universities in Chandler, the main option for the area is Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Students and others will enjoy the free Chandler Public Library for checking out books, movies, and other media.

10. Jobs in Chandler

The job market in Chandler is thriving with some of the metro area’s top employers calling this community home. 

Some of the best places to work in Chandler include:

• Isagenix
• Intel
• Bashas’
• Microchip Technology
• Fugro
• Origami Owl

The average salary in Chandler is $79,000 per year with an average hourly rate of $20.77 per hour.

The current Chandler unemployment rate is 3.1%.

If you plan on working closer to the valley’s main metro area, the commute from Chandler to Phoenix is about 22 miles and takes about 35 minutes.

If you are searching for jobs in Chandler, check out available careers on Indeed.

11. Transportation in Chandler

Wondering how to get around Chandler? The average household in Chandler owns two cars, which is the most common way people travel in the area.

Local freeways like Loop 101, Loop 202, US-60, and I-10 make it easy to get from Chandler to anywhere in the Phoenix metro area.

The city of Chandler offers a variety of public transportation options including shared bikes and scooters, local transit, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. These options make Chandler transportation smooth and simple.

While Chandler does have its own Chandler Municipal Airport, no public airlines use it. If you’re looking to fly in or out of Chandler, your closest options are Sky Harbor International Airport or Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

12. Sports in Chandler

When it comes to professional sports, Chandler doesn’t host any of its own teams. But if residents want to root for local sports, they have a variety of Arizona teams to choose from.

• NFL – Arizona Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale
• NBA – Phoenix Suns play at the Footprint Center in Phoenix
• MLB – Arizona Diamondbacks play at Chase Field in Phoenix
• WNBA – Phoenix Mercury play at the Footprint Center

While most of these teams have made it to the playoffs, the Diamondbacks are the lone Arizona franchise that has won a championship. They won the 2001 World Series and also made it to the 2023 World Series.

Moving to Chandler, AZ

There are so many perks that come with relocating to Chandler that make it an amazing place to live. It’s a beautiful community with safe neighborhoods, strong school systems, and plenty of fun things to do.

If you need a real estate agent to help you with buying or selling a home in Chandler, consider working with our top-rated partners at SPACE.