City Comparison
Yuma vs Sierra Vista
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sierra Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yuma
Sierra Vista
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sierra Vista is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Yuma.
| Metric | Yuma | Sierra Vista | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,410 | +6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,420 | $2,320 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sierra Vista offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sierra Vista delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yuma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Sierra Vista.
| Metric | Yuma | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,200 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,355 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $65,482 | $70,291 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Yuma runs warmer on average — a 11.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 32 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sierra Vista sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yuma | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.40°F | 65.60°F |
| Summer High | 107.10°F | 91.10°F |
| Winter Low | 51.00°F | 40.80°F |
| Rainfall | 5.80 in | 12.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 1.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 347 | 315 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Sierra Vista scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sierra Vista leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yuma | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 28.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yuma is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Sierra Vista.
From a growth perspective, Yuma is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Yuma | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,227 | 44,710 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Sierra Vista
Advantages
Median home prices in Sierra Vista remain roughly 15% below the national average per Zillow market data.
Average commute times of 17.5 minutes are significantly shorter than the U.S. average per Census Bureau data.
Exceptional access to pristine outdoor recreation, including the Huachuca Mountains and San Pedro Riparian area.
Strong economic stability driven by Fort Huachuca, anchoring defense and technology jobs.
Over 315 days of sunshine annually, paired with a comfortable high-elevation climate.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, requiring heavy air conditioning usage.
Limited public mass transit infrastructure creates a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Local wages in non-defense sectors can lag behind major metropolitan economic centers.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires lengthy drives for specialized entertainment or major flight hubs.
Local water resource management is an ongoing regional concern given the arid southern Arizona environment.
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
Sierra Vista
#128Arizona, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
315/yr
Avg Temp
65.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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