CountyScore

La Paz County

Arizona · AZ

#4 in Arizona
65.5
County Score

County Report Card

About La Paz County, Arizona

La Paz exceeds U.S. livability median

La Paz County's composite score of 77.1 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper 55% of American counties. The county's appeal centers on affordability and tax efficiency.

Outperforms Arizona's typical county

At 77.1, La Paz County ranks above Arizona's state average of 73.9, positioning it among the better-performing counties in the state. Its profile reflects strong fundamentals across tax and housing costs.

Exceptional housing affordability shines

La Paz County excels with a cost score of 88.5 and the state's lowest median home value ($117,600) alongside modest rent of $735/month. A tax score of 82.4 and effective rate of 0.707% keep more wealth in residents' pockets.

Income levels lag peer counties

La Paz's income score of just 15.7 and median household income of $49,506 significantly trail most comparison counties, limiting household wealth accumulation. Critical data on schools, safety, health, and water resources remain unavailable.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

La Paz County suits retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers with out-of-state earnings seeking the lowest cost of living with minimal tax burden. The low income profile suggests limited local job opportunities—making it best for those with established income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.4Cost88.5SafetyComing SoonHealth51SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.7Risk16.5WaterComing Soon
🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.5
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 La Paz County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Bulloch County
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Median income: $56,832
Marshall County
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Randolph County
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Median income: $68,870

Deep Dives

La Paz County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in La Paz County

via TaxByCounty

La Paz taxes higher than most counties

La Paz County's effective tax rate of 0.707% sits above the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the higher-tax quartile across U.S. counties. Property owners here face a notably steeper annual tax burden relative to home values.

Above-average rate for Arizona

La Paz County's 0.707% rate exceeds Arizona's state average of 0.581% by about 22%, making it one of the higher-tax counties within Arizona. La Paz residents pay notably more in property taxes than the typical Arizona homeowner.

Higher than most western Arizona counties

La Paz County (0.707%) has a higher rate than Maricopa County (0.474%) and Coconino County (0.486%), making it one of the pricier options for property taxes in western Arizona. A homeowner in nearby Maricopa County would pay roughly 33% less in annual taxes on a comparable property.

Median home costs $831 annually

Despite the high 0.707% rate, La Paz County's modest median home value of $117,600 results in approximately $831 in annual property taxes. However, with a mortgage, budget around $1,139 per year when factoring in property taxes and insurance.

La Paz homeowners should appeal assessments

With La Paz County's relatively high tax rate, even modest assessment reductions through appeals can yield meaningful annual savings. The county assessor's office will review your assessment for free if you believe your home's value has been inflated above current market rates.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in La Paz County

via CostByCounty

La Paz renters enjoy solid affordability

At 17.8%, La Paz County's rent-to-income ratio falls below the national standard, indicating renters here preserve more income than typical Americans after paying rent. With median rent at $735 and household income at $49,506, La Paz delivers reliable affordability for lower-income households.

Better than Arizona average for renters

La Paz County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio beats Arizona's 19.4% state average, positioning it as a renter-friendly Arizona market. At $735 per month, its median rent undercuts the state average by 28%, offering meaningful relief for households earning below the state median.

More expensive than Apache, cheaper than Gila

La Paz's $735 median rent exceeds Apache's $647 but undercuts Gila's $1,001 and Coconino's $1,406, while its $117,600 median home value represents Arizona's lowest entry point for homeownership. For budget-conscious buyers and renters, La Paz sits at the state's affordability frontier.

Renters allocate 18% of income to housing

La Paz renters pay $735 monthly—17.8% of the $49,506 median income—while homeowners pay $448, or just 10.9% of income. This significant gap favors owners, and at $117,600 median home value, La Paz offers the state's most achievable homeownership entry point for low-income households.

La Paz: affordable but economically limited

If you're seeking Arizona's lowest homeownership threshold at $117,600 or want rents under $750, La Paz County delivers with 17.8% affordability well above state norms. Confirm employment opportunities in this quieter region, as its bargain pricing reflects limited job market diversity compared to larger counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in La Paz County

via IncomeByCounty

La Paz County income lags national average by 34%

La Paz County's median household income of $49,506 trails the U.S. median by $25,249, placing it well below national norms. The Southwest Arizona county captures only 66% of typical American household earnings.

Third-lowest income county in Arizona

La Paz County ranks 13th among Arizona's 15 counties, with median income $13,157 below the state average of $62,663. The rural, sparsely populated county faces significant economic headwinds.

Lower income than all nearby rural counties

La Paz County's $49,506 income falls behind Coconino ($69,748), Graham ($67,326), and Greenlee ($75,239), reflecting limited job diversity in the remote West Arizona region. Only Apache County earns less among Arizona's rural areas.

Affordable housing provides modest relief

La Paz County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio offers reasonable housing affordability, though the median home value of $117,600 reflects a depressed real estate market. Low income and modest home values create tight household budgets overall.

Build stability through deliberate financial planning

La Paz County residents should prioritize creating a $2,000-3,000 emergency fund before investing, given income constraints and economic volatility. Even modest monthly savings of $50-75 into a high-yield account compounds over time and builds household resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in La Paz County

via HealthByCounty

La Paz County faces serious health challenges

Life expectancy in La Paz County is 69.3 years, more than 9 years below the U.S. average of 78.4 years, indicating substantial population health struggles. The poor or fair health rate of 25.2% is among Arizona's highest, affecting one in four residents and signaling widespread health vulnerabilities.

Lowest life expectancy in Arizona

La Paz County's life expectancy of 69.3 years trails the Arizona state average of 74.0 years by 4.7 years—among the state's worst performers. The county's 16.9% uninsured rate significantly exceeds Arizona's 14.0%, compounding healthcare access barriers.

Health outcomes lag across all comparisons

La Paz County's 69.3-year life expectancy is the lowest among comparable Arizona rural counties, trailing even Gila County (69.6 years). With only 37 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the county has the fewest primary care resources among peer regions.

Severe healthcare access and coverage gaps

La Paz County struggles with only 37 primary care providers and 90 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—below regional minimums for adequate care. The 16.9% uninsured rate leaves nearly one in six residents without health coverage, creating a crisis-level access problem.

Coverage is your pathway to health

With 16.9% of La Paz County residents uninsured, getting coverage is urgent for your health and financial security. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit Healthcare.gov immediately to apply for Marketplace insurance, Medicaid, or other assistance programs—help is available.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in La Paz County

via RiskByCounty

La Paz County faces moderate risks

La Paz County scores 83.52 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" category and nearly at Arizona's state average of 84.45. The southwestern county contends with multiple overlapping hazards that demand preparation.

Close to Arizona's average risk

La Paz County tracks nearly at the Arizona state average, positioned in the moderate-risk tier. Its 83.52 score reflects a balanced mix of flood, earthquake, and wildfire exposure typical of western Arizona.

Moderate risk within the region

La Paz County's 83.52 score is notably higher than Greenlee County (12.37) to the east but comparable to Maricopa County (99.87) in overall magnitude. Its western position exposes it to different hazard patterns than the state's mountainous regions.

Flood and earthquake are top concerns

La Paz County faces high flood risk (91.48) and significant earthquake exposure (79.04), making these the primary hazards. Wildfire risk (70.17) is notably lower than in Arizona's mountain counties but still warrants attention.

Prioritize flood and earthquake coverage

La Paz County residents should secure flood insurance given the 91.48 risk score, particularly for properties in flood-prone areas. Earthquake insurance is also recommended to protect against the county's 79.04 seismic exposure.

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.