City Comparison
Buckeye vs Prescott
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Prescott
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prescott is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Buckeye.
| Metric | Buckeye | Prescott | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,800 | +8% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,730 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buckeye offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buckeye delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $52,000 in Prescott.
| Metric | Buckeye | Prescott |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 55,769 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $70,874 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buckeye runs warmer on average — a 16.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buckeye comes out ahead with 31 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Prescott sees 24 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buckeye | Prescott |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | 59.20°F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | 87.20°F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | 35.20°F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | 15.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 24.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 297 |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Prescott has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Prescott scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Prescott leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Prescott |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buckeye is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Prescott.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prescott has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Prescott |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 48,945 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 59.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
Prescott
Advantages
Median household income in Prescott stands at $70,874, reflecting solid middle-class economic stability per U.S. Census data.
Average rent hovers around $1,800 per month, offering competitive leasing options compared to major Arizona metros.
Prescott enjoys an exceptional climate featuring 297 sunny days per year and refreshing four-season mountain weather.
Abundant outdoor recreation assets include over 450 miles of trails and scenic lakes like Watson Lake.
Crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, ensuring a secure environment.
Drawbacks
Median property values have risen sharply to over $564,000, creating housing affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Local public transit infrastructure is limited, making vehicle ownership an absolute necessity for daily life.
The local economy relies heavily on seasonal tourism and hospitality, which can create employment fluctuation.
Average wages in several local sectors lag behind statewide and national compensation benchmarks.
Higher median age can limit certain types of fast-paced urban nightlife and entertainment venues.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
Prescott
#301Arizona, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Buckeye and Prescott.
Open Cost Calculator