City Comparison
Tucson vs Yuma
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yuma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tucson
Yuma
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Tucson.
| Metric | Tucson | Yuma | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,595 | $1,500 | +6% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $190 | $180 | +6% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,560 | $2,420 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tucson offers 14% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tucson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tucson is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Yuma.
| Metric | Tucson | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $55,200 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,948 idx | 59,355 idx |
| Household Income | $57,073 | $65,482 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 26 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tucson sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tucson | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.10°F | 77.40°F |
| Summer High | 102.10°F | 107.10°F |
| Winter Low | 44.30°F | 51.00°F |
| Rainfall | 14.50 in | 5.80 in |
| Snowfall | 1.80 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | 347 |
| Humidity | 38.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Tucson.
Tucson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tucson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tucson | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tucson is the larger city
— approximately 5.2x the population of Yuma.
From a growth perspective, Yuma 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 | Tucson | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 548,371 | 105,227 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tucson
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $1,595 offers better affordability than most major US metropolitan areas per Zillow 2026 data.
Exceptional outdoor recreation access with Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon located directly within and adjacent to the city limits.
Recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy featuring world-renowned Sonoran culinary traditions and local dining.
Over 321 days of annual sunshine providing an ideal climate for outdoor enthusiasts and solar energy adoption.
Strong institutional economic anchors driven by the University of Arizona and major aerospace employers like Raytheon.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 102.1°F create high seasonal cooling utility demands and limit midday outdoor activity.
Local median household income of $57,073 trails national benchmarks, reflecting regional wage disparities.
Poverty rates hover around 18.1%, presenting ongoing socioeconomic challenges in specific urban pockets.
Property crime rates remain higher than the national average in select urban and commercial corridors.
High reliance on automobile transportation outside of the central downtown and university streetcar zones.
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.
Tucson
#437Arizona, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
73.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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