Peoria, AZ
What Peoria is actually like
Peoria began in November 1886, when canal builder William J. Murphy recruited settlers from Peoria, Illinois to farm land along his newly dug Arizona Canal. The town took its name directly from that Illinois hometown, itself derived from a Miami-Illinois word linked to prairie fires. Growth stayed modest for decades — Peoria wasn't incorporated until June 7, 1954. Postwar decades brought cotton and citrus agriculture, then suburban subdivisions as metropolitan Phoenix expanded outward. Lake Pleasant, a reservoir formed behind Waddell Dam northwest of town, later became a recreational anchor, and the city's population began climbing rapidly starting in the 1980s and 1990s.
Peoria's population reached an estimated 199,900 by 2024, up from about 191,000 in the 2020 census, with city limits stretching into a sliver of Yavapai County. The city is best known regionally as the Cactus League spring training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex, and for Lake Pleasant Regional Park's boating and camping. Housing spans older ranch homes near the original townsite to large master-planned communities like Vistancia and Trilogy in the fast-growing north end. The P83 entertainment district along 83rd Avenue adds movie theaters, restaurants, and Arizona Broadway Theatre to the retail mix.
Home values in Peoria
Redfin (median sale price, 3-month trailing average) put the typical home value in Peoria at $509,663 as of August 2026, down 0.1% year-over-year.
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Explore Specialty Resources →Getting around
Peoria has no Valley Metro light rail as of September 2026 and no extension is currently planned to reach it. Local mobility relies on Valley Metro bus routes plus a WeRIDE demand-responsive shuttle service that has operated in parts of the city; most residents drive.
Neighborhood FAQ
Which MLB teams hold spring training in Peoria?
The San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners share Peoria Sports Complex for Cactus League spring training.
Where does Peoria's name come from?
Settlers recruited by canal builder William J. Murphy arrived from Peoria, Illinois, starting in 1886 and named their new farming community after their hometown.
Is Peoria served by light rail?
No. Like the rest of the West Valley, Peoria has no Valley Metro light rail service; residents depend on Valley Metro buses and cars.
What is Lake Pleasant?
A reservoir behind Waddell Dam northwest of the city, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a major boating, fishing, and camping destination for Peoria residents.
Nearby alternatives*
Glendale
About 7 miles north via Loop 101, typically 12-15 minutes. Redfin puts Glendale's median sale price at $434,782, below Peoria's $509,663. Glendale is also served by Valley Metro bus routes rather than rail.
Surprise
About 8 miles west via Bell Road or Loop 101/303, typically 15-18 minutes. Redfin puts Surprise's median sale price at $427,786, below Peoria's $509,663. Surprise is also served by Valley Metro bus routes rather than rail.
Sun City
About 6 miles west via Grand Avenue (US-60), typically 12-15 minutes. Zillow puts Sun City's typical home value at $299,904, well below Peoria's $509,663. Sun City is also served by Valley Metro bus routes rather than rail.
*We're not ranking these — every neighborhood has real trade-offs, and which ones matter is up to you.