City Comparison
Yuma vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yuma
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Peoria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yuma's average rent is
17% lower than Peoria's.
| Metric | Yuma | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,817 | -17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,420 | $2,737 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Peoria offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Peoria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yuma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Yuma | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,200 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,355 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $65,482 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 25 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Yuma | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.40°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 107.10°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 51.00°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 5.80 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 347 | 322 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Peoria.
Peoria scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Peoria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yuma | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x 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 | Yuma | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,227 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
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
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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