countyscore
48.7
County Score
Property Tax 86.3Safety 64.1Income & Jobs 55.4

County Report Card

About Graham County, Arizona

Graham County moderately exceeds national livability median

Graham County's composite score of 47.6 falls just below the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 48th percentile nationally. It represents modest livability with notable strengths in safety and income stability.

Above Arizona's average despite rural character

Graham County's composite score of 47.6 outperforms Arizona's state average of 40.1, positioning it as one of the state's more livable rural counties. This above-average performance is notable given the county's smaller population and limited urban amenities.

Safety and income create solid foundation for families

Graham County stands out with a safety score of 64.1 and median household income of $67,326, well above many Arizona counties. Its favorable tax score of 81.7 with a 0.540% effective rate rounds out a balanced financial picture.

Health services and school quality need strengthening

Graham County's health score of 33.1 and school score of 19.9 suggest gaps in healthcare access and educational resources. While not dire, these limitations require consideration for families prioritizing these services.

Ideal for safety-conscious families seeking rural stability

Graham County suits families prioritizing safe communities and stable incomes over urban amenities or school selection. Rural newcomers and retirees seeking a secure, low-tax environment will find Graham County welcoming.

2040608010086.341.864.133.119.955.435.43743.8Tax86.3Cost41.8Safety64.1Health33.1Schools19.9Income55.4Risk35.4Water37Weather43.848.7/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Graham County DNA

Foverall

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

Graham County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (86.3/100) but notably weak in Schools (19.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
86.3+34.3
Cost
41.8
Safety
64.1+9.099999999999994
Health
33.1-16.9
Schools
19.9-34.1
Income
55.4
Risk
35.4-11.600000000000001
Water
37-21
Weather
43.8-12.200000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Graham County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$212,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$935/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$212,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,325/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.9

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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Nearby counties

Greenlee County
Arizona
69.1
Cochise County
Arizona
40.2
Pinal County
Arizona
37.8
Gila County
Arizona
35.4
Catron County
New Mexico
64.3
Grant County
New Mexico
61.4
Hidalgo County
New Mexico
54
Santa Cruz County
Arizona
39.4

Deep Dives

Graham County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Graham County

via TaxByCounty

Graham taxes rank below national median

Graham County's effective tax rate of 0.540% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the lower-tax quartile across all U.S. counties. This favorable rate helps keep homeownership costs manageable despite Arizona's growing real estate market.

Slightly below Arizona state average

Graham County's 0.540% rate is roughly 7% below Arizona's state average of 0.581%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in Arizona. Graham residents enjoy property tax burdens closer to the state's lower end.

Lower than Apache, similar to Gila

Graham County (0.540%) has a comparable rate to nearby Gila County (0.539%) but significantly lower than Apache County (0.838%), making southeast Arizona an attractive region for property tax considerations. Homebuyers in this region benefit from moderate tax rates.

Median home costs $1,094 annually

Graham County's median home value of $202,700 results in approximately $1,094 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you should budget around $1,226 per year when combining property taxes and insurance.

Graham homeowners can reduce tax bills

Graham County homeowners who suspect their property assessment is too high can file a formal appeal with the county assessor at no cost. Many successful appeals result in meaningful annual savings if your home's assessed value exceeds what comparable nearby sales suggest.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Graham County

via IncomeByCounty

Graham County edges closer to national income levels

Graham County's median household income of $67,326 trails the U.S. median by $7,429, capturing about 90% of typical American household earnings. The Southeast Arizona county performs better than most rural peers nationally.

Third-highest income county in rural Arizona

Graham County ranks fifth overall among Arizona's 15 counties, with median income $4,663 above the state average of $62,663. The strong showing reflects a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and commuter access to Tucson employment.

Outearns Apache, Cochise, and Gila counties

Graham County's $67,326 income exceeds Apache by $26,988, Cochise by $8,356, and Gila by $8,237. The county ranks among Arizona's more economically stable rural regions outside the Phoenix and Tucson metros.

Best housing affordability in rural Arizona

Graham County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among Arizona's rural counties, offering exceptional housing affordability even at the $202,700 median home value. Households retain maximum income flexibility for investing and savings.

Convert low housing costs into investment gains

Graham County's favorable rent-to-income ratio creates space for residents to invest aggressively—consider allocating 15-20% of household income to retirement and brokerage accounts. The low housing burden is a powerful wealth-building advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Graham County

via CrimeByCounty

Graham County Boasts High Safety Score

Graham County is exceptionally safe, with a score of 98.7 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 834.8 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. It remains one of the most tranquil regions in the Southwest.

Exceeding Arizona Safety Standards

With a safety score of 98.7, Graham County outperforms the Arizona state average of 97.4. Its crime rate of 834.8 is roughly 50% lower than the state's average of 1,677.3. Four local agencies work efficiently to keep crime levels suppressed.

A Secure Alternative to Neighbors

Graham County is significantly safer than its neighbors Cochise and Gila, which both have crime rates nearly double its own. It shares a low-crime profile with tiny Greenlee County to the east. This region forms a pocket of high security in southeastern Arizona.

Impressively Low Violent Crime Rates

Graham County reports a violent crime rate of just 88.4 per 100,000, which is far lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also low at 746.4 per 100,000. These statistics translate to a very low risk for the average resident.

Keeping Graham County Safe

Residents can help maintain these low numbers by practicing basic security habits like locking vehicles and homes. Community involvement in local safety initiatives ensures that crime stays at these enviable levels. Awareness is the key to preserving the county's peaceful reputation.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Graham County

via WeatherByCounty

Dry Heat in the Upper Tiers

Graham County averages 62.2°F, placing it in the upper tier of temperatures compared to the national median. It receives a sparse 11.4 inches of rain annually.

Near the Arizona State Median

The county's average temperature of 62.2°F is just below the statewide average of 63.5°F. It experiences significantly more extreme heat days than northern counties like Coconino.

Intense Heat Relative to Gila

Graham records 113 days over 90°F, which is more intense than neighboring Gila's 104 days. However, it is much drier than Greenlee, receiving about 4 inches less rain annually.

Four Months of Extreme Heat

Summers are long and hot, featuring 113 days of extreme heat and a July average of 81.8°F. Winters stay temperate, averaging 44.6°F with a light 6.9 inches of annual snow.

Prioritize Efficient Summer Cooling

Prioritize water conservation and desert-landscaping for your property to handle the low rainfall. Effective air conditioning is vital for the 113 days of extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Graham County

via SoilByCounty

Gila Valley Soil Heritage

Graham County lacks specific taxonomic and pH data in the current regional survey. Understanding where your local soil sits compared to the national 6.5 pH median is the first step for any grower.

Sandy vs. Clay Mixes

The exact percentages of sand, silt, and clay remain unrecorded for Graham County. This mix dictates how hard you have to work to till the earth and how well it retains vital nutrients.

Organic Matter and Water

Information on organic matter and available water capacity is not yet available for this county. Gardeners should aim to improve their soil quality to reach or exceed the national 2.0% organic matter benchmark.

Managing the Valley Floor

The dominant drainage class and hydrologic group are currently undefined for Graham County. This data is essential for irrigation planning in the fertile agricultural valleys along the Gila River.

Planting in Zone 8b

Graham County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, supporting a thriving agricultural industry of cotton and nut trees. Home gardeners can enjoy success with a wide variety of Mediterranean herbs and heat-loving vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Graham County

via LawnByCounty

Extreme Aridity in Graham County

With a lawn score of just 10.0, Graham County is one of the more difficult places in Arizona to sustain a traditional lawn. This 8b hardiness zone is far more taxing than the national average, requiring expert-level water management. Success depends on selecting the right species for this unforgiving environment.

The Scorching 113-Day Summer

The county endures 113 days of extreme heat annually, exactly matching the state average but dwarfing most of the country. Only 11.4 inches of rain falls each year, leaving a massive deficit for plants that need consistent moisture. Your 5,254 growing degree days mean your lawn is essentially a high-speed engine that needs constant fuel and cooling.

Managing Soil for Arid Success

Data on local soil texture is currently unavailable, but Graham's valley locations often deal with heavy clay or salty deposits. You should check your drainage specifically, as standing water in high heat can boil grass roots. Gypsum or organic amendments can help break up tough soils and improve aeration.

Facing Severe Moisture Deficits

The county is currently 93.5% abnormally dry, with nearly 10% facing severe drought conditions after a 53-week dry streak. You must treat water as a precious resource by using drip irrigation for landscape borders and precise sprinklers for turf. Xeriscaping parts of your yard can help focus your water budget on the most important green zones.

Spring Starts in the Gila Valley

Heat-hardy hybrids like Midiron or Celebration Bermuda are the most reliable choices for this climate. Start your planting projects after the April 1st frost date to ensure warm soil temperatures for germination. You can expect a long growing season that persists until the first freeze around November 9th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Graham County's county score?
Graham County, Arizona has a composite county score of 48.7 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 Graham County rank among counties in Arizona?
Graham County ranks #3 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 Graham County, Arizona?
The median annual property tax in Graham County is $1,013, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Graham County a tax score of 86.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Graham County?
The median household income in Graham County, Arizona is $67,325 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Graham County earns an income score of 55.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Graham County, Arizona a good place to live?
Graham County scores 48.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Arizona. The best way to evaluate Graham 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 Graham 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.