Yuma, AZ, known as 'The Sunniest Place on Earth,' offers a unique blend of desert charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Yuma County, Yuma is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Phoenix (185 miles) and San Diego (174 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Yuma's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Yuma is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, the historic Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, and the scenic Gateway Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Colorado River State Historic Park to the bustling Yuma Palms Regional Center, known for its shopping and dining. Yuma's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Yuma Lettuce Days and the Yuma County Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Yuma's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Arizona Western College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Yuma is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Historic Yuma Theatre and the Yuma Art Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Yuma provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Yuma’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Yuma Scorpions (baseball) and the Arizona Coyotes (NHL) in nearby Phoenix, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Yuma include agriculture, military, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Yuma Regional Medical Center and the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike paths, making transportation convenient for residents.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Yuma, Arizona is a medium-sized city with a population of 97,428 residents. According to the most recent Census, 70% of Yuma residents are White, 3% Black and 2% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Yuma are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 45% of the population also speak Spanish. Yuma tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 32 is far below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Yuma will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 17 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Yuma, Arizona could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Yuma and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Yuma to Arizona and the national average.
With a livability score of 72/100, Yuma is ranked #4,725 in the United States and #26 in Arizona. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Yuma has received high marks for cost of living (A), education (A+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Yuma does not have favorable grades for the following: employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Yuma can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Yuma real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Yuma. The median home price for Yuma homes is $152,300, which is 13.9% lower than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Yuma, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 17.1% lower than the Arizona average.
| Statistic | Yuma | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.2% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.8% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.7% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.4% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.0% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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