Living in Yuma, AZ
Yuma is the 315th-largest city in the US, home to about 105,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 8.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (92.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 105,227+8.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $230,0003.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,114/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $65,482median, per year
- Price level
- 92.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 70° / 107°lows 48° / 83°
- Average commute
- 18 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 2.5%top rate, flat
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County: Yuma County
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7, no daylight saving)
Elevation: about 141 ft
Metro area: Yuma, AZ
Cost of living in Yuma
The median home in Yuma is worth $230,000 and the median household earns $65,482 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,114 a month, about 20% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Yuma, AZ metro area at 92.7, with housing at 73.8 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,500 here. Arizona taxes wages at a top rate of 2.5% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Arizona is 8.54%.
What would my salary be worth in Yuma?
Yuma weather
Average highs run from 70°F in January to 107°F in July, and January nights average 48°F. It gets 3 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 181 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are November to March.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Yuma
People and work
The median resident is 33.1 years old, and 21% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 67% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.189th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 21%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 67%of households
- People per sq mile
- 869121.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%2% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1990median year
Who moves to Yuma, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from San Diego (San Diego County), Salinas (Monterey County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to San Diego (San Diego County), Tucson (Pima County) and Riverside (Riverside County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Yuma County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: earthquake, heat wave.
Home prices
+0% in a year
Up 41% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Yuma, AZ area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
54% good days
7 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Yuma, AZ area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Yuma
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Yuma
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Yuma MCAS/Yuma International Airport YUM | 3 mi | 85,227 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Frost dates and fall color in Yuma
Freezing nights are rare here.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Yuma Mcas, AZ, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Yuma.
Wildfire smoke in Yuma
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Yuma on about 39 days a year, including about 6 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Yuma
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 39,110 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Yuma
Downtown Yuma is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma Union High School District | 9 to 12 | 11,217 | 8 | 23.8 |
| Yuma Elementary District | Pre-K to 8 | 9,102 | 19 | 19.6 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Crane Elementary District (5,727 students), Somerton Elementary District (2,986 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Yuma's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Yuma's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Laredo, TX64% matchCompare
- Corpus Christi, TX57% matchCompare
- Edinburg, TX54% matchCompare
- McAllen, TX54% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Yuma
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Yuma
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 70°F.
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
- Data The city is growing fast (+8.4% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 181 days a year reach 90°F.
Yuma report card from locals
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Yuma through locals' eyes
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Cities near Yuma
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indio, CA | 117 mi | 94,269 | $458,400 | 106.4 | Compare |
| El Cajon, CA | 134 mi | 101,755 | $681,700 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Buckeye, AZ | 135 mi | 125,445 | $419,800 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Goodyear, AZ | 140 mi | 125,359 | $471,300 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Chula Vista, CA | 142 mi | 275,533 | $758,700 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Avondale, AZ | 144 mi | 100,983 | $394,600 | 103.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Yuma with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Yuma a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, short commutes; the trade-offs are 181 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Yuma side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Yuma?
The Census Bureau estimates Yuma had 105,227 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 97,087 in April 2020 (+8.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Yuma?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,500 in the Yuma area. The median household here earns $65,482.
When is the best time to visit Yuma?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, November to March are the most comfortable months. July averages 107°F and January 70°F for daytime highs.
What county is Yuma in?
Yuma is in Yuma County, Arizona. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Yuma in?
Yuma is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7 all year, with no daylight saving time).
What is the elevation of Yuma?
About 141 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Arizona have a state income tax?
Yes. Arizona has a flat income tax with a top rate of 2.5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Yuma. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Yuma, AZ metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Yuma Mcas, AZ station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.