Valley Houses Still Young But Aging Fast

Arizona remains one of the nation's youngest housing markets, but Phoenix and much of the East Valley are reaching a turning point.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:07pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph showing the blurred outlines of houses in a residential neighborhood, with soft pools of warm light and color creating a nostalgic, dreamlike atmosphere that captures the aging yet vibrant nature of the region's housing.As the Valley's housing stock ages, communities must balance maintaining older neighborhoods with continued growth on the outskirts.Gilbert Today

A recent analysis of U.S. Census data found that the median age of owner-occupied homes nationwide reached 42 years in 2024. In Arizona, the median was 29 years, making the state one of the youngest housing markets in the country. However, a closer look at Valley cities shows a different story emerging, with Phoenix's median home built in 1984 and much of the East Valley's housing stock now 20 to 30 years old and entering the stage where major systems require replacement.

Why it matters

As the Valley's housing stock ages, local governments, utilities, and homeowners will face increased demand for maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and reinvestment in older neighborhoods. This shift also changes how communities think about growth, with more attention turning to maintaining and redeveloping existing housing stock rather than simply building new.

The details

In Phoenix, the median home was built in 1984, meaning much of the city's housing stock is now about 40 years old — roughly in line with the national average. In Ahwatukee, homes in the ZIP code 85044 were largely built in the 1980s and early 1990s, while in 85048 and 85045, most homes date to the late 1990s and early 2000s. Even in these newer areas, much of the housing stock is now 20 to 30 years old. Other East Valley cities like Queen Creek, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe also show a clear progression of aging housing, with median construction years ranging from 2012 in Queen Creek to 1984 in Tempe.

  • The median age of owner-occupied homes nationwide reached 42 years in 2024.
  • In Arizona, the median age of owner-occupied homes was 29 years in 2024.

The players

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

An industry trade group that analyzed 2024 American Community Survey data gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau to find the median age of owner-occupied homes across the United States.

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What they’re saying

“The age of the housing stock is an important remodeling market indicator. Older homes tend to be less energy-efficient than newly built homes and are more likely to require repairs, upgrades, and renovations in the future.”

— National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

The takeaway

As the Valley's housing stock ages, communities will need to focus on maintaining and reinvesting in existing neighborhoods, rather than just building new homes on the outskirts. This shift will require coordinated efforts between local governments, utilities, and homeowners to address infrastructure needs and improve the energy efficiency of older homes.