Phoenix is Arizona’s capital city, ranking as the fifth largest U.S. city by population, and home to a greater regional population of just over 5 million people across an area of 2,000 square miles. The vast network of suburbs around Phoenix offer a wide variety of experiences for visitors in the Valley of the Sun. Just east, you have Tempe, a vibrant college suburb that blends lakefront fun and nightlife, while to the southeast, you have the underrated suburb and family-friendly tech hub with a vibrant art scene of Chandler. And in a prime location right between Tempe and Phoenix is a Valley hidden gem — Guadalupe, known for its affordability and vibrant community.
You’ll find Guadalupe nestled near the 16,000-acre South Mountain Park and Preserve. The town dates back to 1907, when it was founded by Pascua Yaqui Native Americans, who migrated from Mexico to the Salt River Valley for work and safety following the Mexican Revolution. It was incorporated in 1975 and named after the patron saint of Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Today, the town of about 5,300 residents, consists of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo populations intermingled throughout its one square mile.
Guadalupe is just seven miles from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport, which is known for its mile-long indoor fitness trail. From the airport, the fastest way to Guadalupe is by car or taxi, but there is one bus line connecting the two locations. The closest Amtrak station is in Maricopa, Arizona, which is approximately 30 miles away.
The vibrant community of Guadalupe
Guadalupe is one of the most affordable suburbs in Arizona. With a median home value of $233,500 (compared to the national average of $303,400) and a median monthly rent of $783 (compared to the national average of $1,348), it was ranked No. 6 for suburbs with the lowest cost of living in Arizona. The median household income in the town is $58,507, lower than the national average of $78,538. With approximately 22% of Guadalupe residents living under the federal poverty level, the town’s nonprofit Community Development Corporation is committed to creating affordable housing in the community with grants from the American Rescue Plan Act and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program…