CountyScore

Cochise County

Arizona · AZ

#3 in Arizona
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Cochise County, Arizona

Cochise beats national livability standard

Cochise County's composite score of 74.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 50%, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. The county balances moderate affordability with better incomes than many peers.

Right at Arizona's midpoint

Cochise County scores 74.1, just slightly above Arizona's 73.9 average, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Its performance reflects balanced strengths across tax and housing affordability.

Low taxes and solid income base

Cochise County shines with a tax score of 84.3 and an effective tax rate of just 0.639%, the lowest in this region. A median household income of $58,970 and cost score of 79.5 create a livable economic foundation.

Housing costs rising relative to peers

While still affordable, Cochise's median home value of $207,400 and rent of $939/month are higher than its income score (21.9) suggests is optimal. Safety, health, school quality, and water security remain unmeasured.

Good fit for middle-income families

Cochise County appeals to families and professionals seeking balanced affordability and tax efficiency without extreme cost-of-living constraints. More data on schools and safety would strengthen its appeal for families prioritizing education and security.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax84.3Cost79.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.9Risk7.2WaterComing Soon
🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Cochise County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chattooga County
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Median income: $47,785
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66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
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66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
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66.8
Median income: $61,929
Livingston County
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66.8
Median income: $101,315

Deep Dives

Cochise County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cochise County

via TaxByCounty

Cochise taxes slightly below national median

Cochise County's effective tax rate of 0.639% sits just below the national median of 0.73%, placing it firmly in the middle tier of U.S. counties. While lower than the national average, Cochise residents pay a meaningful amount in annual property taxes relative to home values.

Moderate rate for Arizona standards

At 0.639%, Cochise County's effective tax rate exceeds Arizona's state average of 0.581% by about 10%. This positions Cochise as a moderately taxed county within Arizona, neither among the highest nor lowest.

Higher than Gila, lower than Apache

Cochise County (0.639%) falls between Apache County's high rate (0.838%) and Gila County's more modest rate (0.539%). Southern Arizona property owners in Cochise pay a middle-ground tax burden compared to their regional counterparts.

Median home costs $1,325 annually

Cochise County's median home value of $207,400 translates to approximately $1,325 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, homeowners should budget about $1,378 per year when adding property taxes to insurance costs.

Cochise homeowners should verify assessments

Property overassessment is common in Arizona counties, and Cochise is no exception. Homeowners who believe their assessed value doesn't match recent comparable sales can request a free assessment review from the county assessor's office.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cochise County

via CostByCounty

Cochise renters beat national affordability

Cochise County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio edges out the national standard, showing renters here allocate a reasonable share of income to housing. With median rent at $939 and household income at $58,970, Cochise offers a middle ground between rural affordability and urban accessibility.

Middle-of-the-pack among Arizona counties

Cochise County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio aligns with Arizona's 19.4% state average, positioning it as a fairly typical Arizona housing market. The county's median rent of $939 sits between rural Apache ($647) and urban Maricopa ($1,587), reflecting its hybrid character.

Less expensive than Gila and Coconino

Cochise County's $939 median rent undercuts Gila County's $1,001 and significantly beats Coconino County's $1,406, despite Cochise having higher home values at $207,400. For renters seeking a balance of affordability and regional amenities, Cochise sits in a sweet spot among Southeast Arizona options.

Renters pay 19%, owners pay 16% of income

Cochise renters spend $939 monthly—19.1% of the $58,970 median income—while homeowners pay $781, or just 15.9% of income. This narrow gap suggests Cochise offers unusually balanced affordability for both renting and owning, with median home values of $207,400.

Cochise balances cost and lifestyle

For remote workers or retirees seeking Southwestern character without extreme housing costs, Cochise County bridges the gap between rural simplicity and regional connectivity. Compare its $939 rent and $207,400 home values against neighboring Gila and Graham counties to gauge fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cochise County

via IncomeByCounty

Cochise County income trails U.S. average by 21%

Cochise County's median household income of $58,970 sits $15,785 below the national median of $74,755, reflecting rural economic patterns across Southeast Arizona. The county earns about 79 cents for every dollar the average American household brings in.

Middle of the pack in Arizona income rankings

Cochise County ranks fifth from the bottom among Arizona's 15 counties, with income $3,693 below the state average of $62,663. The position reflects a mix of agricultural, mining, and military-influenced employment typical of rural border counties.

Higher income than Apache, lower than Graham

Cochise County's $58,970 income exceeds Apache County by $18,632 but falls short of Graham County's $67,326 and Greenlee County's $75,239. The variation reflects different industry bases and workforce demographics across rural Arizona.

Strong housing affordability with stable home values

A 19.1% rent-to-income ratio indicates solid housing affordability, while the median home value of $207,400 reflects a reasonably healthy real estate market. Households can comfortably allocate income to other essentials and savings.

Invest in skills to unlock higher earning potential

Cochise County residents should consider targeted skill development in high-demand sectors like healthcare and skilled trades to boost earning power. Explore low-interest loans for education or certifications that could increase household income by 15-20% within five years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cochise County

via HealthByCounty

Cochise County exceeds national health standards

With a life expectancy of 76.1 years, Cochise County outperforms the U.S. average of 78.4 years by a narrow margin, positioning it among healthier Arizona counties. The poor or fair health rate of 19.4% is substantially lower than the national average of 16%, reflecting generally positive health outcomes for most residents.

Among Arizona's healthier counties

Cochise County's life expectancy of 76.1 years exceeds the Arizona state average of 74.0 years by 2.1 years, demonstrating strong health performance. The county's 11.2% uninsured rate betters Arizona's 14.0% state average, suggesting better healthcare access than many peers.

Solid standing in regional health rankings

Cochise County's 76.1-year life expectancy aligns closely with nearby Greenlee County (75.1 years) and trails only Maricopa County (77.5 years) in southeast Arizona. The county's 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents places it in the middle range, better than rural Apache but below well-resourced Coconino.

Balanced provider availability and coverage

Cochise County residents benefit from 58 primary care providers and 144 mental health providers per 100,000, offering reasonable access to routine and behavioral health care. At 11.2% uninsured, the county maintains below-average uninsurance, though border geography can create unique care-seeking challenges.

Keep coverage current and accessible

Even as Cochise County maintains strong health metrics, verifying your insurance coverage annually ensures continuous access to providers. Review your current plan options at Healthcare.gov to confirm your coverage meets your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cochise County

via RiskByCounty

Cochise County faces moderate-to-high risks

Cochise County scores 92.84 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" category and above Arizona's state average of 84.45. This southeastern county contends with multiple overlapping hazards that demand serious preparation.

Above-average risk statewide

Cochise County ranks significantly higher than the Arizona average, placing it among the state's more hazard-exposed counties. Its composite score of 92.84 puts it squarely in the moderate-risk tier, comparable to other challenging areas in southern Arizona.

Riskier than most surrounding areas

Cochise County's 92.84 score exceeds Graham County (64.60) to the north and sits slightly below Gila County (90.17) to the northwest. Its elevation places it among Arizona's higher-risk counties, driven by multiple converging hazards.

Wildfire, flood, and earthquakes threaten

Cochise County faces near-extreme wildfire risk (99.17) alongside significant flood danger (93.83), making these the top two concerns. Earthquake risk scores 78.50, adding seismic vulnerability to the hazard profile and affecting building safety decisions.

Layer insurance for multiple hazards

Cochise County residents need wildfire and flood coverage beyond standard homeowners policies, given both hazards score above 93. Consider earthquake insurance as well, particularly if your home is older or lacks seismic reinforcement.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.