Everything you need to know about living in downtown Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix is known as one of the Valley of the Sun’s primary entertainment hubs. If you’re a sports or music fan, it’s an ideal place for you to live to catch the Phoenix Suns and Mercury tip off at the Mortgage Matchup Center, see the Diamondbacks step up to the plate at  Chase Field, or catch live entertainment at nearby music venues like Crescent Ballroom, The Van Buren, and the Arizona Financial Theatre. Downtown Phoenix also hosts an abundance of festivals and other special events during the year. Check out the area’s calendar here. 

When I first moved here over a decade ago, I was told that for many years, downtown Phoenix was only a place where people would see a sporting event or concert—then they’d return to their homes in other parts of the Valley. Thankfully, that’s changed. Today, downtown Phoenix is a thriving area that’s home to not only some great entertainment venues, but also some of the city’s best bars, restaurants, and cultural offerings. 

Let’s take a closer look at what it’s like living in downtown Phoenix. 

Average cost of rent

According to RentCafe.com, the average rent in downtown Phoenix is roughly $2,000 per month. Studios average $1,456 a month, while one-bedrooms came in at $1,868 and two-bedrooms at $2,530. 

We checked the rates at a few rental properties downtown. Here’s what we found:

Altura on Pierce Street: Rents start at $1,119 for a studio, $1,599 for a one-bedroom, and $2,099 for a two-bedroom. 

Camden Copper Square: Rent starts at $1,399 for a studio, $1,239 for a one-bedroom, and $1,389 for a two-bedroom.

Brix Warehouse: Rent starts at $1,314 for a one-bedroom, $1,714 for a two-bedroom, and $2,314 for a three-bedroom.

Keep in mind that those prices do not include additional taxes and fees.

Walkability 

Downtown Phoenix is very walkable—somewhat of a rarity in the Valley. If you live near the Valley Metro Rail, which locals simply call the light rail, it’s easy and cheap (at just $2 per ride) to get to a variety of different places throughout the Valley. Keep in mind that the light rail only goes to a limited number of places, but you can easily walk to some of the city’s top restaurants, venues, and cultural attractions when you live downtown, as they’re relatively close together.

Landmarks

Downtown Phoenix is one of the few places in the city that has tall buildings, which define its skyline alongside South Mountain in the distance. 

Downtown is also home to many remarkable historic buildings. Some are still being used for their original purpose, like the post office downtown. The Westward Ho was a thriving hotel where classic Hollywood stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, and Paul Newman once stayed. It was also once the city’s tallest building and appeared in the movie “Psycho.” Today, it serves as housing for senior citizens and those with mobility issues. 

Another noteworthy hotel, San Carlos, is still standing today and operates a working hotel. Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe stayed here. 

The Luhrs Tower—built in 1929—is a striking example of Art Deco architecture. It was Phoenix’s first 10-story highrise and has a fascinating history. Today, the building is home to the Moxie Phoenix Downtown hotel and Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, among other businesses. There’s so much of this style of architecture that the Phoenix Art Deco Society is dedicated to preserving the city’s Art Deco history and hosts events. Learn more about this group here. 

Exterior of The Luhrs Building in Phoenix at night. (Courtesy Mark Knight)

Downtown Phoenix is also home to a few other historical buildings that are a key part of the city’s landscape. Compass at the Hyatt Regency is a revolving restaurant at the top of a hotel that’s been in business for close to 50 years. The circular part of the building that houses the restaurant has been a key part of downtown’s landscape for decades. Diners can take in breathtaking views of Phoenix as they enjoy American cuisine from 317 feet up. 

The Orpheum Theatre is another gem. This spot opened in 1929 and is notable for its ornate architectural details. The theater’s ceiling was painted to resemble a blue sky dotted with white clouds. The venue also features real wood beams on the ceiling, a spiral staircase and an exterior inspired by Spanish Baroque architecture.  

Culture

Downtown is also a true cultural hub for Phoenix. One great example? The Burton Barr Central Library. This sprawling public library is five stories tall and measures 280,000 square feet. One of its most striking features is a running creek that flows on the ground floor. The library also houses an art gallery on the first floor. 

Phoenix Arizona USA – 2 21 2025: The Burton Barr Central Library is the central library of Phoenix Arizona USA. (Marcus E Jones/Shutterstock).

Another one of downtown’s important cultural offerings is the Phoenix Art Museum. This Central Phoenix gem houses over 20,000 objects and is the largest art museum in the Southwest. The museum features rotating exhibits of modern, international, and historical art. On display from now until September of 2026 is an exhibit titled “Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan.” 

Another artistic hotspot, the Heard Museum, is dedicated to showcasing Native American art. Visitors can see photography, baskets, pottery, jewelry, clothing, sculptures, and beadwork all created by Native craftspeople at this museum that was established in 1929.

Things to know about living there

If you’re considering residing in downtown Phoenix, one of the most important things to be aware of is that there aren’t a ton of grocery stores. There’s a Fry’s downtown that opened in 2019, becoming downtown’s first new grocery store in over 50 years. There’s also a Safeway on McDowell Road, but that’s about it as far as the larger chain stores go.  

The entire city of Phoenix has a homelessness crisis, but the problem is more visible in downtown Phoenix. “The Zone,” a massive encampment that was located downtown, was cleared back in 2023, but the problems still persist. If you’re experiencing homelessness, check out these resources compiled by Downtown Phoenix.

Although downtown Phoenix has become more residential in recent years, it’s still more commercial than other areas of the Valley. It’s estimated that downtown Phoenix has added more than 5,000 apartments since 2020, but there’s still not going to be as much housing as there would be in areas like North Phoenix. Part of this is because downtown Phoenix is a smaller geographical area, of course, but also there just aren’t as many places to live downtown. 

Downtown also has a thriving restaurant scene. Pizzeria Bianco, Flour & Thyme, Wren & Wolf, Bacanora, and Sottise are all downtown and considered to be some of the best restaurants in all of the Valley. Bitter & Twisted and Little Rituals are both outstanding, award-winning bars that sling some of the area’s best, most inventive cocktails.

Roosevelt Row is also considered to be Phoenix’s premier arts district. Expect colorful murals, art galleries galore, and colorful boutiques. Head here on the First Friday of every month where, during this time, you can visit some of the museums for free and enjoy a live street fair. Grand Avenue is another thriving arts district located downtown.

Overall, downtown Phoenix has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, and dining. But it’s still not as residential as other parts of the Valley. Residents only have two nearby large grocery stores and homelessness is an issue. However, if you’re looking for an urban experience in the heart of Grand Canyon State, this could be your dream living situation.

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