Relocation specialists MovingPlace have created a report which reveals the ZIP codes in Phoenix that are seeing the largest influx of Gen Z in migration, as well as the locations with the slowest growth, based on a move-in move-out ratio. The study revealed the Phoenix ZIP codes with the fastest and slowest Gen Z growth.

Generally, Gen Z tend to move out of rural or suburban areas and instead move to cities and metropolitan areas, largely driven by increased job opportunities and a high quality of life with more things to do. However, the case is slightly different in Phoenix, where Gen Z are leaving its metropolitan hub.

The ZIP code that Gen Z are flocking to in Phoenix is: 85281 – Tempe / ASU area

ZIP 85281, centered around Tempe, is particularly popular with younger generations. This is partly due to its proximity to Arizona State University and a youthful demographic. The area has a high concentration of students and young professionals, a lively street life with cafés, parks, and nightlife, and housing stock that includes more accessible rental options than some other Phoenix neighborhoods. This blend of social vitality and convenience makes it appealing for Gen Z who want vibrant, community‑oriented living.

Just as there are areas that appeal to Gen Z, there are some that don’t manage to draw members of that generation, for several reasons. The cost of living and unsustainably high housing prices are often the culprit.

The ZIP code seeing the slowest Gen Z growth in Phoenix is: 85004 – Phoenix central

In central Phoenix, ZIP 85004 includes parts of the urban core where rising rents and gentrification have pushed younger residents outward. Combined with a job market that is still maturing in high‑growth sectors, many younger adults choose to relocate to more affordable suburban ZIPs within the metro or to other Sun Belt cities with comparably lower living costs and more entry‑level opportunities.

Daniel Cobb, senior editor at MovingPlace, shared his perspective on what Gen Z’s migration patterns reveal about the future of U.S. metro areas: “Gen Z functions like a friction test for the housing and job market. Because they have the least financial slack, no relocation packages, and little tolerance for inefficiency, they only move when a city removes enough barriers to make early adulthood viable. This includes high average salaries, lower living costs, plenty of affordable rental options, and a booming job market to support.

“When Gen Z shows up in a ZIP code, it’s often not because it’s trendy, but because the math finally works for them,” Cobb says. “Their movement patterns act as an early indicator of which cities have removed enough friction to compete for long-term talent.

“Employers, landlords, and city planners should take this as a signal to align opportunities with Gen Z’s priorities: provide affordable housing, accessible transit, and entry-level jobs in growing neighborhoods” Cobb says. “By making these ZIP codes truly livable and career-ready, they can attract and retain the next generation of talent, or encourage them to expand into underdeveloped areas where infrastructure and opportunity can grow alongside them.”

To explore the rest of the data study, visit MovingPlace.

– more at azbigmedia.com

---

---

Thinking about investing in Phoenix real estate? Have a property to sell in Arizona? Let’s work together.

Connect with us to buy, sell, or lease multifamily, residential and commercial real estate in Phoenix, and across Arizona. 

Tell us what you’re searching for.

 

NATAN JACOBS | 602-281-6202 | NATAN@NATANJACOBS.COM