Phoenix is not a US state. It is a city in the state of Arizona. Phoenix is the capital and largest city of Arizona — the 5th most populous US city. The state is Arizona.
Arizona at a glance
USPS code: AZ
Capital: Phoenix
Largest city: Phoenix
Region: West
Year admitted: 1912
Why people ask this
"Is Phoenix a state?" gets searched thousands of times a year. There are three common reasons:
- City is more famous than its state. Travelers see "Phoenix" on flights, news, sports, and TV — but the state name comes up less often.
- The US has 50 states + many big cities, so it's easy to lose track. Only 17 of the 50 capitals are the largest city of their state — meaning a famous city is usually not the capital.
- People learning US geography from scratch (non-Americans, kids, ESL learners) need a quick disambiguation page like this one. You're welcome.
Quick reference: Phoenix vs Arizona
If you ever need to fill in a form or quiz:
- City: Phoenix
- State: Arizona
- State abbreviation (USPS): AZ
- State capital: Phoenix
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Is Phoenix a state?
No — Phoenix is a US city in Arizona.
What state is Phoenix in?
Phoenix is in Arizona.
What is the capital of Arizona?
The capital of Arizona is Phoenix — also the largest city
How many cities does Arizona have?
Arizona has dozens of incorporated cities and towns. The largest is Phoenix. See all of Arizona's major cities and facts.