countyscore
40.2
County Score
Property Tax 72.4Weather & Climate 48.5Health 47.6

County Report Card

About Cochise County, Arizona

Cochise County tracks near the national average

Cochise County's composite score of 39.9 falls just below the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 40th percentile nationally. This below-average position masks a mixed profile of strengths and significant challenges.

Cochise mirrors Arizona's overall livability level

With a composite score of 39.9, Cochise County sits virtually at Arizona's state average of 40.1, indicating typical livability conditions for the state. Neither a standout nor a laggard, Cochise occupies middle ground in Arizona's county landscape.

Tax efficiency and moderate incomes provide foundation

Cochise County features a competitive tax score of 69.9 with an effective rate of 0.639%, among the lowest in Arizona. Median household income of $58,970 and a reasonable health score of 47.6 suggest working families can find stable ground here.

Safety, schools, and education quality need work

Cochise County's safety score of 32.6 and school score of 15.4 represent substantial vulnerabilities for families. Additionally, housing affordability is moderate at best with median home values around $207,400 and rents at $939 monthly.

Suits middle-income professionals seeking moderate livability

Cochise County works best for working professionals or established families comfortable with middle-of-the-road conditions across most measures. This is a balanced choice for those who don't require exceptional amenities but want reasonable tax efficiency and moderate income stability.

2040608010072.446.832.647.615.4337.221.748.5Tax72.4Cost46.8Safety32.6Health47.6Schools15.4Income33Risk7.2Water21.7Weather48.540.2/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Cochise County DNA

Foverall

How Cochise County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Cochise County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (7.2/100), though Property Tax (72.4/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
72.4+20.400000000000006
Cost
46.8
Safety
32.6-22.4
Health
47.6
Schools
15.4-38.6
Income
33-18
Risk
7.2-39.8
Water
21.7-36.3
Weather
48.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Cochise County

Whether buying or refinancing in Cochise County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$218,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$995/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$218,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,742/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.1

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Mono County
California
Median income: $99,415
40.2
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Montgomery County
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Nearby counties

Hidalgo County
New Mexico
54
Santa Cruz County
Arizona
39.4
Graham County
Arizona
48.7
Greenlee County
Arizona
69.1
Grant County
New Mexico
61.4
Luna County
New Mexico
60.5
Pima County
Arizona
27.5
Pinal County
Arizona
37.8

Deep Dives

Cochise County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Cochise County

via CrimeByCounty

Cochise County Outpaces National Safety Averages

Cochise County earns a safety score of 97.5, placing it above the national baseline. Its total crime rate of 1,581.7 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the U.S. average of 2,385.5. This indicates a relatively secure environment for the county's residents.

Aligning with Arizona State Norms

The county’s safety score of 97.5 is nearly identical to the Arizona state average of 97.4. Its total crime rate of 1,581.7 also sits just below the statewide average of 1,677.3 per 100,000. Eight local agencies work to keep these figures stable across the region.

Comparing Safety with Southern Neighbors

Cochise County experiences more crime than Graham County, which sits at a low 834.8 per 100,000. However, it remains more secure than larger urban hubs like Maricopa County. The region maintains a middle-ground safety profile compared to its rural counterparts.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime accounts for the vast majority of local incidents, with a rate of 1,346.6 per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the violent crime rate is 235.1, which remains well below the national average of 369.8. Most residents are unlikely to encounter violent crime in their daily lives.

Securing Property in Cochise County

Given that property crime is the primary concern, investing in home security systems is a wise choice. Visible cameras and reinforced entry points deter opportunistic theft effectively. Community awareness remains the best defense against localized property loss.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cochise County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm High-Desert Living in Cochise

Cochise County averages 61.8°F, placing it well above the national median temperature. This high-desert region combines warmth with a relatively dry 14.3 inches of annual rainfall.

Matching the Arizona State Baseline

The county's 61.8°F average sits just below the Arizona state average of 63.5°F. It represents a middle ground between the scorching lowlands and the snowy northern plateaus.

Wetter Than Nearby Graham County

With 14.3 inches of rain, Cochise is wetter than neighboring Graham's 11.4 inches. It also enjoys milder summers than Maricopa, with about 70 fewer extreme heat days.

Ninety Days of High Desert Heat

Summers bring 94 days over 90°F, though July stays manageable with an average of 78.7°F. Winters are mild, seeing only 1.7 inches of snow and a 46.1°F average temperature.

Focus on Sun and Hydration

Focus on sun protection and hydration for the 94 days of extreme heat. Light winter layers generally suffice for the rare dusting of snow and mild winter lows.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cochise County

via SoilByCounty

Cochise's High-Desert Character

Specific taxonomic and pH levels for Cochise County are not yet documented in the current survey. Most desert soils trend alkaline, and testing is required to see how far the soil deviates from the national 6.5 pH median.

Particle Mix and Workability

Data regarding the exact blend of sand, silt, and clay are missing for this region. A local jar test can help you identify your soil's texture to improve drainage and nutrient retention.

Assessing Growing Potential

Information on organic matter and water capacity remains unavailable for Cochise County. Because most arid soils fall below the national 2.0% organic matter average, adding compost is a vital step for success.

Hydrology in the High Desert

The dominant drainage class and hydrologic group for this county are not currently specified. Understanding these metrics helps residents predict how the ground will handle seasonal monsoon rains.

Thriving in Zone 8b

Cochise County falls into USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, which supports a wide range of fruit trees like peaches and pecans. This climate allows for a long growing season if you manage your irrigation carefully.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cochise County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions in the High Desert

Cochise County presents a difficult environment with a lawn score of 14.4, hovering just above the state average. This 8b hardiness zone requires significant effort to overcome the arid climate compared to the national median of 50.0. Success here demands a strategic approach to desert horticulture.

High Heat and Moderate Monsoon Potential

The county experiences 94 extreme heat days annually, putting immense stress on traditional turf. While the 14.3 inches of annual rain beats the state average, it remains less than half of what a healthy lawn requires. High growing degree days at 4,885 mean your grass stays active and hungry for water for much of the year.

Preparing Your Desert Foundation

Localized soil data is unavailable, but high-desert soils often struggle with low organic content and compaction. You should test your soil to identify the specific amendments needed to support healthy root systems. Adding compost can help improve the structure of these often-sandy or rocky substrates.

Managing Year-Round Dry Spells

With 53 weeks of drought over the past year, water conservation is a mandatory part of lawn care. Approximately 57% of the county is currently abnormally dry, though severe conditions are currently absent. Focus on installing smart irrigation controllers to maximize every drop of the limited rainfall.

Best Grasses for Zone 8b

Warm-season varieties like Bermuda grass or Buffalo grass are your best bets for the local climate. Aim to plant after the last frost on April 11th to give the lawn time to mature before the 90-degree days arrive. Your growing season typically extends until the first frost hits in early November.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cochise County's county score?
Cochise County, Arizona has a composite county score of 40.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Cochise County rank among counties in Arizona?
Cochise County ranks #5 among all counties in Arizona on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Cochise County, Arizona?
The median annual property tax in Cochise County is $1,310, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Cochise County a tax score of 72.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cochise County?
The median household income in Cochise County, Arizona is $59,742 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cochise County earns an income score of 33/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cochise County, Arizona a good place to live?
Cochise County scores 40.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Arizona. The best way to evaluate Cochise County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Cochise County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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