Mohave County

Arizona · AZ

#5 in Arizona
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Mohave County, Arizona

Mohave scores well above the nation

Mohave County's composite score of 74.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top half of all U.S. counties. This 48% advantage reflects a county where affordability and tax burden are notably better than typical.

Slightly ahead of Arizona's average

Mohave ranks just above Arizona's state average composite score of 73.9, making it a middle-tier performer within its state. Among Arizona's counties, Mohave is solidly competitive, though some neighbors score higher.

Tax efficiency and moderate affordability

Mohave excels in its tax score of 88.6, with an effective tax rate of just 0.485%, among the lowest in the state. Housing remains reasonably affordable at a median home value of $253,200 and median rent of $1,047 per month.

Income levels lag behind peers

The county's income score of 19.8 reflects a median household income of $55,799, which trails many Arizona counties and limits economic growth potential. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, so the full livability picture is incomplete.

Best for budget-conscious retirees

Mohave County suits retirees and remote workers prioritizing low taxes and modest living costs over high incomes and urban amenities. The combination of tax-friendly policies and affordable housing makes it attractive to those on fixed or moderate incomes seeking a simpler lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.6Cost77.3SafetyComing SoonHealth60.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.8Risk5.2WaterComing Soon
🏛88.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠77.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
60.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
5.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Mohave County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mohave County

via TaxByCounty

Mohave's tax rate ranks low nationally

At 0.485%, Mohave County's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.620%, putting it in roughly the bottom quartile of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is $1,229 annually—less than half the national median of $2,690—despite homes valued at $253,200, close to the national median home value.

Lowest tax rate in Arizona

Mohave County has the lowest effective tax rate among all Arizona counties at 0.485%, significantly below the state average of 0.581%. This means homeowners here pay considerably less in property taxes than most other Arizonans, with a median annual tax of $1,229 versus the state median of $1,349.

Mohave undercuts northern neighbors

Compared to neighboring Navajo County (0.605% effective rate), Mohave homeowners save roughly $100 per $250,000 in home value annually. Yavapai County to the south also taxes slightly higher at 0.441% effective rate, though Yavapai homes are substantially more expensive at $392,900.

What Mohave homeowners actually pay

On a median home valued at $253,200, expect to pay roughly $1,229 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes typically increase to $1,347; without one, they drop to $1,068.

You might be overassessed

Many Arizona property owners discover their homes are reassessed above true market value. If your property taxes seem high relative to your home's actual worth, filing an appeal with Mohave County's assessor's office costs nothing and could reduce your bill substantially.

Cost of Living in Mohave County

via CostByCounty

Mohave renters stretch paychecks further

Mohave County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.5% exceeds the national median, meaning renters here dedicate more of their earnings to housing than the typical American household. Still, the median income of $55,799 falls $19,000 short of the national average of $74,755, compounding the affordability squeeze.

Above-average rents in Arizona context

Mohave County's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Arizona's state average of 19.4%, placing it among the less affordable counties in the state. The median gross rent of $1,047 per month also exceeds Arizona's state average of $1,016, despite lower household incomes.

Costlier than rural neighbors

Mohave County's $1,047 monthly rent sits between Navajo County's bargain $832 and Yavapai County's pricier $1,258. Though home values average $253,200—lower than Pinal or Yavapai counties—Mohave renters pay a steeper percentage of income for housing than most Arizona neighbors.

Housing costs eat 22.5% of income

Renters in Mohave spend $1,047 monthly while mortgage-holders pay $792, yet both groups feel the pinch of a $55,799 median household income. Combined, housing consumes a significant share of household budgets, leaving less room for savings and other essentials.

Consider Mohave if you value affordability

Mohave County offers a lower cost of entry than Yavapai or Pinal counties, with a median home value of $253,200. If you're relocating from a high-cost state but earning Arizona wages, compare Mohave's 22.5% rent burden against your current housing costs.

Income & Jobs in Mohave County

via IncomeByCounty

Mohave's income lags national standard

Mohave County's median household income of $55,799 falls 25% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower tier nationally. This gap reflects broader economic patterns in rural Arizona, where employment opportunities and wage scales differ significantly from urban centers.

Below Arizona's typical household earnings

At $55,799, Mohave ranks below Arizona's state average of $62,663—a difference of about $6,900 per year. The county trails most Arizona peers, underperforming even other rural communities in the state.

Mohave outearns Navajo and Santa Cruz

Mohave's median income exceeds Navajo County ($52,752) and Santa Cruz County ($53,614) but lags Yuma County ($60,417). Among Arizona's smaller counties, Mohave occupies the middle ground, earning more than its northeastern and southern neighbors.

Rent remains manageable at 22.5%

With a rent-to-income ratio of 22.5%, Mohave households devote a reasonable share of earnings to housing—well within the recommended 30% threshold. However, the median home value of $253,200 still requires significant savings for downpayments, challenging first-time buyers.

Build financial stability in Mohave

Mohave residents earning $55,799 annually can accelerate wealth-building by maximizing tax-advantaged retirement accounts and exploring local first-time homebuyer programs. Starting an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses creates a foundation for investing in property or education.

Health in Mohave County

via HealthByCounty

Mohave lags behind national health benchmarks

At 72.8 years, Mohave County's life expectancy falls 5.9 years short of the U.S. average of 78.7 years. One in five residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of 18%, signaling deeper health challenges across the county.

Among Arizona's lower-performing counties

Mohave ranks below Arizona's state average life expectancy of 74.0 years, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 15 counties. The county's 21.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, reflecting sustained health disparities.

Neighboring Yavapai County shows better outcomes

Yavapai County residents live 3.6 years longer on average and report better overall health (16.6% poor/fair vs. 21.2%). Both counties have similar primary care access, but Mohave residents face notably higher rates of preventable health conditions.

Healthcare access gaps persist in Mohave

With 14.1% of residents uninsured and just 53 primary care providers per 100,000 people, Mohave struggles with both coverage and access. Mental health support is available through 81 providers per 100,000, yet many residents delay or skip preventive care due to cost.

Check your health insurance options today

One in seven Mohave residents lacks coverage—a rate that costs families and the community in delayed diagnoses and emergency care. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local enrollment counselor to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, or employer coverage that fits your budget.

Disaster Risk in Mohave County

via RiskByCounty

Mohave's risk exceeds U.S. average

Mohave County scores 94.75 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively high category and above the national baseline. This elevated score reflects exposure to multiple hazards, particularly wildfire and earthquake threats that dominate the county's profile.

Third-riskiest county in Arizona

At 94.75, Mohave ranks third among Arizona's 15 counties for overall disaster risk, trailing only Pima (99.11) and Pinal (93.83). The county's 94.75 score significantly exceeds Arizona's 84.45 state average by 10.3 points.

Higher risk than northern peers

Mohave's 94.75 score surpasses neighboring Navajo County (88.07) and statewide peers Santa Cruz (88.33) and Yavapai (93.73). Only Pima and Pinal counties carry comparable overall risk levels in Arizona.

Wildfire and earthquake dominate

Wildfire risk reaches 98.82 in Mohave—nearly the highest in the state—with earthquake risk at a substantial 87.05. Flood risk also poses significant concern at 97.07, while tornado risk remains minimal at 3.34.

Ensure wildfire and quake coverage

Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake and may not cover wildfire damage; Mohave residents should verify coverage for both hazards. Consider a separate earthquake policy and review wildfire protections given the county's 98.82 wildfire score.

ByCounty Network

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