City Comparison
Buckeye vs Yuma
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Yuma
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Buckeye.
Housing costs are a major driver: Buckeye's average rent is
30% higher than Yuma's.
| Metric | Buckeye | Yuma | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,500 | +30% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,420 | +24% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buckeye offers 23% 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 $48,000 in Yuma.
| Metric | Buckeye | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,200 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 59,355 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $65,482 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Buckeye | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | 77.40°F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | 107.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | 51.00°F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | 5.80 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 347 |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Buckeye scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buckeye leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buckeye is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Yuma.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Yuma has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 105,227 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.20% |
| 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
Yuma
Advantages
Over 340 days of sunshine annually provide an exceptional climate for outdoor recreation and winter warmth.
Housing and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average and neighboring California markets.
Major stability provided by large military installations (MCAS Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground).
World-class recreational access to the Colorado River for boating, fishing, and water sports.
A rich bicultural community offering vibrant local culture and exceptional authentic dining.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 105°F, requiring heavy air conditioning use.
High seasonal unemployment rates driven by cyclical agricultural harvesting schedules.
High degree of car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure.
Summer utility bills can surge significantly due to continuous cooling requirements.
Lower average educational attainment rates compared to national benchmarks in specific segments.
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
Yuma
#187Arizona, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$55,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
347/yr
Avg Temp
77.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
70
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