City Comparison
Tempe vs Yuma
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yuma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Yuma
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Tempe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
29% higher than Yuma's.
| Metric | Tempe | Yuma | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,500 | +29% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,420 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tempe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $48,000 in Yuma.
| Metric | Tempe | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $55,200 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 59,355 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $65,482 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 20 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Tempe | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | 77.40°F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | 107.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 51.00°F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | 5.80 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 347 |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tempe.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tempe | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x 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 | Tempe | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 105,227 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 33.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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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