City Comparison
Yuma vs Scottsdale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yuma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yuma
Scottsdale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Scottsdale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yuma's average rent is
22% lower than Scottsdale's.
| Metric | Yuma | Scottsdale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,930 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,420 | $2,890 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Scottsdale offers 35% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Scottsdale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yuma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $68,000 in Scottsdale.
| Metric | Yuma | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,200 | $85,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,355 idx | 72,034 idx |
| Household Income | $65,482 | $110,886 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Yuma | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.40°F | 75.90°F |
| Summer High | 107.10°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 51.00°F | 47.40°F |
| Rainfall | 5.80 in | 15.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 347 | 325 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 31.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Scottsdale.
Scottsdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Scottsdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yuma | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Scottsdale is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x 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 | Yuma | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,227 | 243,821 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 49.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Scottsdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $110,886 per year per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Exceptional educational attainment with over 62% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Consistently low crime rates and high safety scores relative to other major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Access to over 300 days of sunshine annually alongside premier outdoor recreation like the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Thriving job market anchored by healthcare, tourism, technology, and corporate business sectors.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices run significantly higher than the national average.
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 106.1°F require heavy reliance on air conditioning.
High degree of car dependency outside of core walkable entertainment districts like Old Town.
Competitive real estate market makes affordable housing options scarce for middle-income earners.
Seasonal tourist influxes lead to heavy traffic congestion and crowded local amenities during peak winter months.
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
Scottsdale
#305Arizona, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,930
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
51.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
75.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
83
Business
79
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