Cost of Living in Yuma, AZ

An Overview of Cost of Living in Yuma, AZ

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Yuma is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Yuma is 97, which is 3% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Yuma are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Yuma can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Yuma?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 15 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Yuma. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 40% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 60% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Yuma Affordable?

Is Yuma an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Yuma is 17.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 3.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Yuma has a median household income of $52,183, which is 5.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Yuma?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Yuma, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.6%, and income tax rates begin at 2.55%.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Yuma, the transportation index is 0.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Yuma cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.