CountyScore

Gila County

Arizona · AZ

#8 in Arizona
64.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Gila County, Arizona

Gila County surpasses U.S. median

Gila County's composite score of 74.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of American counties. Its strength stems from balanced affordability, low taxes, and moderate income levels.

Outranks most Arizona peers

At 74.8, Gila County ranks above Arizona's state average of 73.9, positioning it among the stronger-performing counties statewide. It demonstrates particularly strong economics relative to regional competitors.

Tax efficiency and affordability combine

Gila County excels with a tax score of 87.1, an effective rate of 0.539%, and a cost score of 78.7 reflecting $1,001 monthly rent and $247,000 median home values. These factors create real purchasing power for residents.

Income growth lags regional potential

An income score of 22.0 and median household income of $59,089 are modest compared to higher-earning counties nearby. Critical data on schools, safety, health outcomes, and water remain unavailable.

Ideal for tax-conscious moderate earners

Gila County suits working families and early-career professionals prioritizing affordability and low taxes over maximum income potential. Moderate housing costs and strong tax benefits create financial stability for middle-income households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost78.7SafetyComing SoonHealth55.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk9.8WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.8
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 Gila County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Washington County
Arkansas
64.5
Median income: $66,426
Del Norte County
California
64.5
Median income: $66,780
Elkhart County
Indiana
64.5
Median income: $65,617
Dallas County
Iowa
64.5
Median income: $102,349
Caddo Parish
Louisiana
64.5
Median income: $50,067

Deep Dives

Gila County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gila County

via TaxByCounty

Gila taxes slightly below national median

Gila County's effective tax rate of 0.539% sits meaningfully below the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the lower-half tier of U.S. counties. This relatively low rate helps offset Gila's moderate home values.

Below average across Arizona

Gila County's 0.539% rate sits about 7% below Arizona's state average of 0.581%, making it a moderately taxed county within Arizona. Gila homeowners enjoy property taxes closer to the state's lower end.

Lower than Apache, higher than Coconino

Gila County (0.539%) falls between Apache County's 0.838% and Coconino County's 0.486%, positioning it as a moderate-tax option in central Arizona. Central Arizona property owners in Gila benefit from mid-range tax rates.

Median home costs $1,331 annually

With a median home value of $247,000, Gila County homeowners pay approximately $1,331 in annual property taxes. Factoring in insurance, monthly property tax costs with a mortgage typically reach around $1,493 per year.

Gila homeowners should challenge overvaluation

Many Gila County residents pay more in property taxes than necessary due to inflated assessed values that don't reflect current market conditions. The county assessor's office offers a free formal protest process if you believe your home was overappraised.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gila County

via CostByCounty

Gila renters pay slightly above average

At 20.3%, Gila County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national standard by roughly one percentage point, placing it in the moderately affordable range for American renters. With median rent at $1,001 and household income at $59,089, Gila sits comfortably above rural Arizona markets but below urban Phoenix.

Slightly less affordable than Arizona average

Gila County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio edges above Arizona's 19.4% state average, signaling moderately tight housing affordability for renters. The $1,001 median rent sits just below Coconino's $1,406 but above Apache's $647, positioning Gila as Central Arizona's middle-tier rental market.

More expensive than Apache, cheaper than Coconino

Gila's $1,001 rent surpasses Apache ($647) and undercuts Coconino ($1,406), while its $247,000 median home value sits between Cochise ($207,400) and Coconino ($413,200). This places Gila as a moderate-cost option for families balancing affordability with regional access.

Renters pay 20%, owners pay 15% of income

Gila County renters spend $1,001 monthly—20.3% of the $59,089 median income—while homeowners pay $756, or just 15.3% of income. This 5-percentage point spread reflects Gila's moderate affordability, where ownership becomes increasingly attractive as incomes rise.

Gila offers balanced Central Arizona living

For families seeking mountain scenery and small-town character without Flagstaff's altitude premium, Gila County's $1,001 rent and $247,000 home values hit a middle ground. Compare Gila's costs against neighboring Cochise and Coconino to evaluate which trade-offs align with your priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gila County

via IncomeByCounty

Gila County income falls short of U.S. average

Gila County's median household income of $59,089 lags the national median by $15,666, representing about 79% of typical American earnings. The rural Central Arizona county faces sustained income challenges despite regional growth.

Below Arizona's state income average by $3,574

Gila County ranks sixth from the bottom among Arizona's 15 counties, sitting slightly below the state median of $62,663. The position reflects a county economy still recovering from historic mining and timber industries.

Comparable to Cochise, behind Graham and Greenlee

Gila County's $59,089 income closely matches Cochise County's $58,970 but trails Graham County's $67,326 and Greenlee County's $75,239. The clustering reveals income patterns across Arizona's rural heartland.

Moderate housing burden with elevated home values

Gila County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio is manageable, yet the median home value of $247,000 indicates rising property costs outpacing wage growth. Households allocating one-fifth of income to housing have less flexibility for savings.

Diversify income to match rising living costs

Gila County residents should explore side income streams and skill certifications to offset rising home values and cost of living. Even a modest $200-300 monthly increase from a second income source can fund a meaningful emergency savings or investment account.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gila County

via HealthByCounty

Gila County faces significant health challenges

Life expectancy in Gila County is 69.6 years, nearly 9 years below the U.S. average of 78.4 years, reflecting substantial health disparities. The poor or fair health rate of 22.3% is significantly higher than the national average of 16%, indicating that one in five residents reports compromised health status.

Well below Arizona state averages

Gila County's life expectancy of 69.6 years falls 4.4 years short of Arizona's 74.0-year state average, positioning it among the state's weaker performers. The county's 15.2% uninsured rate exceeds Arizona's 14.0%, suggesting healthcare access barriers beyond just provider availability.

Health metrics trail surrounding counties

Gila County's 69.6-year life expectancy trails Greenlee County (75.1 years) and Graham County (73.5 years), despite similar rural geography and demographics. The county's 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents falls short of both Greenlee (64 per 100K) and Coconino (82 per 100K).

Limited workforce constrains healthcare access

Gila County operates with just 45 primary care providers and 93 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—below the levels needed for comprehensive community health. The 15.2% uninsured rate compounds access challenges, leaving significant portions of the population without basic healthcare coverage.

Affordable coverage options are available

With 15.2% of Gila County residents uninsured, securing health insurance is essential to accessing the county's limited provider network. Contact a Healthcare.gov navigator or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Marketplace plans, Medicaid options, and cost assistance programs designed for your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gila County

via RiskByCounty

Gila County faces moderate-to-high risks

Gila County scores 90.17 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" category and above Arizona's state average of 84.45. The central county's hazard profile reflects its mountainous terrain and monsoon exposure.

Above-average risk in Arizona

Gila County ranks higher than the Arizona average, placing it firmly in the state's moderate-risk tier. Its 90.17 composite score reflects significant overlap of wildfire, flood, and earthquake hazards across the county.

Similar risk to nearby counties

Gila County's 90.17 score sits between Coconino County (94.21) to the north and Apache County (78.78) to the northeast. It faces comparable exposure to Cochise County (92.84), making it one of central Arizona's more hazard-prone areas.

Wildfire and flood are primary threats

Gila County faces extreme wildfire risk (99.08) combined with significant flood danger (93.07), driven by forested terrain and monsoon storms. These two hazards account for much of the county's elevated composite score and should dominate preparation efforts.

Get wildfire and flood protection today

Standard homeowners insurance excludes wildfire, making supplemental coverage critical for Gila County properties. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is also essential given the county's 93.07 flood risk score.

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.