City Comparison
Yuma vs Phoenix
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yuma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yuma
Phoenix
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Phoenix.
| Metric | Yuma | Phoenix | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,492 | +1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $426 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $391 | -54% |
| Transport | $120 | $64 | +88% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $380 | -42% |
| Monthly Total | $2,420 | $2,753 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Yuma offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Yuma delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yuma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,974 in Phoenix.
| Metric | Yuma | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,200 | $49,356 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,974 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,355 idx | 47,006 idx |
| Household Income | $65,482 | $81,332 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Yuma runs warmer on average — a 77.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 347 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Yuma sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yuma | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 107.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 51.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 5.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 347 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 14.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Phoenix.
Phoenix scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phoenix leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yuma | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Yuma.
From a growth perspective, Yuma is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Yuma | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,227 | 1,677,947 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.75% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Phoenix
Advantages
Phoenix's job market is projected to grow by 0.7% in 2026, outpacing many other regions.
The city ranks as the No. 7 most supportive city in the U.S. for small businesses as of April 2026.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix are 4% lower than the national average.
The average one-way commute time in Phoenix is 26 minutes, slightly less than the U.S. average.
Phoenix experiences abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days per year.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Phoenix is 5% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing expenses.
Phoenix's overall crime rate, while below the national average, still faces challenges with property crimes like auto theft.
The city has a low walkability score of 41, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Phoenix are extremely hot, with average July highs around 105°F.
Traffic congestion in Phoenix resulted in commuters losing 76 hours in 2024, higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Phoenix
#438Arizona, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,492
Avg Salary
$49,356
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
41.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.75%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
68
Business
75
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