City Comparison
Prescott vs Yuma
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yuma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Prescott
Yuma
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Prescott.
Housing costs are a major driver: Prescott's average rent is
20% higher than Yuma's.
| Metric | Prescott | Yuma | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,500 | +20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,420 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Prescott offers 5% 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 Prescott is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Yuma.
| Metric | Prescott | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,200 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,769 idx | 59,355 idx |
| Household Income | $70,874 | $65,482 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Yuma runs warmer on average — a 18.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 50 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Prescott sees 24 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Prescott | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | 77.40°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 107.10°F |
| Winter Low | 35.20°F | 51.00°F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | 5.80 in |
| Snowfall | 24.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | 347 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Prescott.
Prescott scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Prescott leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Prescott | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yuma is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Prescott.
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 | Prescott | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,945 | 105,227 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 59.7 | 33.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prescott
Advantages
Median household income in Prescott stands at $70,874, reflecting solid middle-class economic stability per U.S. Census data.
Average rent hovers around $1,800 per month, offering competitive leasing options compared to major Arizona metros.
Prescott enjoys an exceptional climate featuring 297 sunny days per year and refreshing four-season mountain weather.
Abundant outdoor recreation assets include over 450 miles of trails and scenic lakes like Watson Lake.
Crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, ensuring a secure environment.
Drawbacks
Median property values have risen sharply to over $564,000, creating housing affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Local public transit infrastructure is limited, making vehicle ownership an absolute necessity for daily life.
The local economy relies heavily on seasonal tourism and hospitality, which can create employment fluctuation.
Average wages in several local sectors lag behind statewide and national compensation benchmarks.
Higher median age can limit certain types of fast-paced urban nightlife and entertainment venues.
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.
Prescott
#301Arizona, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
68
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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