Apache County scores 77.0 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top half of U.S. counties, driven primarily by exceptionally affordable housing and favorable tax rates.
2 / 5
Outperforms most Arizona counties
At 77.0, Apache County ranks above Arizona's state average of 73.9, positioning it among the stronger performers across the state's 15 counties. Its competitive advantage centers on affordability and tax structure.
3 / 5
Affordability and low taxes lead
Apache County excels with a cost score of 92.5, reflecting one of Arizona's lowest median home values ($68,500) and rents ($647/month). The county's effective tax rate of 0.838% ensures residents keep more of their income.
4 / 5
Income growth presents headwinds
Apache County's income score of just 9.7 reflects a median household income of $40,338, significantly below state and national benchmarks. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and water resources prevents a fuller livability assessment.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious families
Apache County suits retirees, remote workers, and budget-focused families seeking the lowest cost of living in Arizona. Strong affordability and tax benefits offset limited income growth and the need for more transparency on schools, health, and safety.
Apache County scores 77.0 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top half of U.S. counties, driven primarily by exceptionally affordable housing and favorable tax rates.
Outperforms most Arizona counties
At 77.0, Apache County ranks above Arizona's state average of 73.9, positioning it among the stronger performers across the state's 15 counties. Its competitive advantage centers on affordability and tax structure.
Affordability and low taxes lead
Apache County excels with a cost score of 92.5, reflecting one of Arizona's lowest median home values ($68,500) and rents ($647/month). The county's effective tax rate of 0.838% ensures residents keep more of their income.
Income growth presents headwinds
Apache County's income score of just 9.7 reflects a median household income of $40,338, significantly below state and national benchmarks. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and water resources prevents a fuller livability assessment.
Ideal for cost-conscious families
Apache County suits retirees, remote workers, and budget-focused families seeking the lowest cost of living in Arizona. Strong affordability and tax benefits offset limited income growth and the need for more transparency on schools, health, and safety.
Score breakdown
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🏛78.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Apache County's effective tax rate of 0.838% puts it well above the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. Most American homeowners pay closer to 0.73% annually, making Apache's rate notably steeper despite lower home values.
Highest rate among Arizona counties
Apache County leads Arizona with a 0.838% effective tax rate, compared to the state average of 0.581%. This means Apache residents pay about 44% more in property taxes on their homes than typical Arizona homeowners.
Significantly higher than Navajo, Coconino
Apache's 0.838% rate far exceeds neighboring Coconino County (0.486%) and Gila County (0.539%), making Apache the most expensive county for property taxes in the eastern Arizona region. A homeowner in nearby Coconino pays roughly half the tax rate despite often owning more valuable property.
Median home costs $574 annually
With a median home value of $68,500 in Apache County, homeowners pay around $574 in annual property taxes. If you're buying with a mortgage, property taxes and insurance may add $793 to your annual housing costs.
Many Apache homeowners can appeal
Across Arizona, many property owners discover they've been overassessed during valuation disputes. If your Apache County home seems overvalued relative to recent sales, a tax appeal could reduce your annual bill—many county assessor offices offer free guidance on the process.
At 19.3%, Apache County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national median, meaning renters here dedicate a manageable share of earnings to housing. The county's median gross rent of $647 per month is substantially lower than typical American rental markets, offering relief for households earning $40,338 annually.
Arizona's most affordable rental market
Apache County ranks among Arizona's most affordable for renters, with a 19.3% rent-to-income ratio matching the state average of 19.4% despite earning 46% less than the state median. The $647 median rent undercuts Arizona's $1,016 state average by 36%, making it a standout for cost-conscious renters.
Cheaper than neighboring Cochise County
Apache County's $647 median rent significantly undercuts Cochise County's $939 rent, even though both counties have similar rent-to-income ratios around 19%. Apache's lower home values—$68,500 versus Cochise's $207,400—reflect a genuinely accessible housing market for both renters and buyers.
Monthly housing takes 19% of income
Renters in Apache County pay $647 monthly while homeowners spend $289, but the real story is household income: at $40,338 annually, housing consumes 19.3% of renter incomes and just 8.6% of owner incomes. This gap shows why homeownership can be a financial game-changer, though the median home price of $68,500 remains a barrier for many.
Consider Apache for rural affordability
If you're prioritizing housing costs over urban amenities, Apache County offers the state's most affordable rents and some of Arizona's lowest home prices. Compare this market against neighboring Cochise and Gila counties to see if the trade-offs in services and employment match your lifestyle.
Apache County's median household income of $40,338 trails the U.S. median by $34,417, placing it in the bottom tier nationally. This 46% income gap reflects deeper economic challenges across the rural Northeast Arizona region.
Eighth-lowest income county in Arizona
Apache County ranks eighth from the bottom among Arizona's 15 counties, with a median income $22,325 below the state average of $62,663. The gap signals limited employment opportunities and wage growth compared to urban and suburban Arizona.
Significantly behind neighboring Navajo region
Apache County's $40,338 income sits well below Coconino County to the south ($69,748) and even modestly below rural Gila County ($59,089). Geographic isolation and limited economic diversity contribute to the income disparity across Northeast Arizona.
Low rent burden masks tight household budgets
A 19.3% rent-to-income ratio suggests reasonable housing affordability, yet the median home value of $68,500 reflects a depressed real estate market tied to limited economic opportunity. Many households stretch tight incomes just to cover basic needs.
Build financial resilience despite modest income
Every dollar matters in Apache County—prioritize building an emergency fund of at least $1,000 to weather unexpected costs. Explore low-cost financial literacy programs and employer retirement plans to compound wealth over time, even on a smaller income base.
Life expectancy in Apache County stands at 63.9 years, nearly 14 years below the U.S. average of 78.4 years, signaling serious underlying health challenges. The poor or fair health rate of 32.5% is roughly double the national average of 16%, indicating that more than one-third of residents report compromised health status.
Significant gap from Arizona average
Apache County's life expectancy of 63.9 years lags the Arizona state average of 74.0 years by 10.1 years, placing it among the state's lowest performers. At 13.0% uninsured, the county performs slightly better than Arizona's 14.0% state average, though healthcare access remains constrained.
Health outcomes lag similar counties
Apache County's 63.9-year life expectancy is notably lower than neighboring Navajo and Coconino counties, which exceed 75 years. The county's primary care provider rate of 41 per 100,000 residents falls short of regional peers like Coconino (82 per 100K) and Cochise (58 per 100K).
Healthcare workforce shortages limit care access
Apache County has just 41 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the recommended level for rural regions—making routine checkups and preventive care harder to access. Mental health resources at 120 per 100,000 are modest, yet many residents report significant health challenges that demand comprehensive care.
Explore coverage options today
With 13.0% of Apache County residents uninsured, exploring available health insurance plans is a critical first step toward improving health outcomes. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to learn about Marketplace plans, Medicaid eligibility, and tribal health benefits available to you.
Apache County scores 78.78 on the composite risk scale, landing it in the "Relatively Low" category and below Arizona's state average of 84.45. While this puts the county in a better position than many peers nationally, natural hazards still warrant serious preparation and insurance consideration.
Safest counties in Arizona
Apache County ranks among Arizona's lower-risk counties, positioned well below the state's average exposure. This relatively favorable standing doesn't mean the county is risk-free—it simply means residents face fewer overlapping hazards than those in high-risk areas like Maricopa County.
Compared to neighboring counties
Apache County's 78.78 score is notably lower than Coconino County (94.21) to the west and significantly safer than Navajo County's typical exposure profile. Its risk profile makes it one of the more protected areas in Arizona's northern region.
Wildfire and flood dominate here
Apache County faces extreme wildfire risk (97.90) that rivals the state's most dangerous areas, driven by vast forests and seasonal drought conditions. Flood risk scores 80.73, making these two hazards the primary concerns for property owners and emergency planners.
Secure comprehensive wildfire coverage
Standard homeowners policies often exclude wildfire damage, making supplemental coverage essential in Apache County. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is also recommended given the county's elevated flood risk, particularly for properties in flood-prone areas.