City Comparison
Yuma vs Maricopa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Maricopa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yuma
Maricopa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Maricopa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yuma's average rent is
17% lower than Maricopa's.
| Metric | Yuma | Maricopa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,799 | -17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,420 | $2,729 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Maricopa offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Maricopa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yuma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Maricopa.
| Metric | Yuma | Maricopa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,200 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,355 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $65,482 | $96,391 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Yuma | Maricopa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.40°F | 74.10°F |
| Summer High | 107.10°F | 106.50°F |
| Winter Low | 51.00°F | 43.00°F |
| Rainfall | 5.80 in | 9.80 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 347 | 329 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 25.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Maricopa.
Maricopa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Maricopa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yuma | Maricopa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 37 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yuma is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Maricopa.
From a growth perspective, Maricopa 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 | Yuma | Maricopa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,227 | 82,372 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 5.12% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.30% |
| 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.
Maricopa
Advantages
Median home property values (~$377,200) remain substantially more affordable than nearby Phoenix and East Valley housing markets.
Consistently ranks among the top 10 safest cities in Arizona according to recent safety reports and municipal data.
Features a young, highly diverse population with top-rated diverse school districts in the greater region.
Strong homeownership rate exceeding 80%, providing stable, master-planned suburban neighborhoods.
Rapidly expanding local retail, dining, and commercial developments reducing the need to travel for daily necessities.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on State Route 347 creates long commute times and traffic bottleneck concerns during peak hours.
Extreme summer high temperatures exceeding 106°F restrict outdoor daytime activities for several months.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership mandatory for all daily tasks and employment commuting.
Scarcity of major local high-tech or corporate employment hubs requires long-distance commuting or remote work.
High summer electricity utility costs required to maintain home cooling during prolonged heatwaves.
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
Maricopa
#42Arizona, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,799
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
329/yr
Avg Temp
74.10°F
Pop. Growth
5.12%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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