Navajo County's composite score of 77.1 towers 54% above the national median of 50.0, making it a top-performing county by livability standards. This strong performance reflects particularly competitive advantages in housing affordability and tax burden.
2 / 5
Arizona's fourth-highest overall score
Navajo ranks above the Arizona state average of 73.9, securing a place among the state's more livable counties. It consistently outperforms peers in cost-of-living measures.
3 / 5
Housing bargains and low taxes
Navajo boasts the strongest cost score (85.8) among these seven counties, with median rent just $832 per month and median home values of $186,100. Its tax score of 85.3 reflects an effective tax rate of 0.605%, providing substantial savings for residents.
4 / 5
Income growth remains modest
The county's income score of 17.8 reflects a median household income of $52,752, the lowest among these Arizona counties. Limited data on safety, health, and schools prevents a complete assessment of livability beyond economics.
5 / 5
Ideal for affordability-first households
Navajo County attracts families and individuals seeking maximum purchasing power for their housing dollar in a low-tax environment. It's especially suited to those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for dramatically reduced living costs and financial breathing room.
Navajo County's composite score of 77.1 towers 54% above the national median of 50.0, making it a top-performing county by livability standards. This strong performance reflects particularly competitive advantages in housing affordability and tax burden.
Arizona's fourth-highest overall score
Navajo ranks above the Arizona state average of 73.9, securing a place among the state's more livable counties. It consistently outperforms peers in cost-of-living measures.
Housing bargains and low taxes
Navajo boasts the strongest cost score (85.8) among these seven counties, with median rent just $832 per month and median home values of $186,100. Its tax score of 85.3 reflects an effective tax rate of 0.605%, providing substantial savings for residents.
Income growth remains modest
The county's income score of 17.8 reflects a median household income of $52,752, the lowest among these Arizona counties. Limited data on safety, health, and schools prevents a complete assessment of livability beyond economics.
Ideal for affordability-first households
Navajo County attracts families and individuals seeking maximum purchasing power for their housing dollar in a low-tax environment. It's especially suited to those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for dramatically reduced living costs and financial breathing room.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Navajo County's 0.605% effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.620%, placing it in the middle range of U.S. counties. At $1,126 annually on a median home value of $186,100, Navajo homeowners pay less than half the national median property tax of $2,690.
Navajo ranks in Arizona's middle
With a 0.605% effective rate, Navajo County slightly exceeds Arizona's 0.581% state average, ranking in the middle tier of the state's counties. The median property tax of $1,126 falls below the state median of $1,349, reflecting Navajo's lower home values relative to other Arizona counties.
Navajo taxes higher than Mohave
Navajo County's 0.605% rate edges out neighboring Mohave County (0.485%) by about 0.12%, meaning homeowners here pay roughly $100 more annually per $250,000 in home value. Santa Cruz County to the south charges 0.642%, slightly more than Navajo.
What Navajo homeowners pay yearly
On a median home valued at $186,100, Navajo residents pay approximately $1,126 in annual property taxes. Adding a mortgage increases taxes to $1,251; without a mortgage, they drop to $977.
Check if you're overassessed
Many Navajo County property owners never challenge their assessments and may be paying more than warranted. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and straightforward—even a small reduction in assessed value can save hundreds over time.
Navajo County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average, making it one of Arizona's most affordable places to rent relative to income. At $832 monthly rent and a $52,752 median household income, renters here spend less on housing than their national counterparts.
Below-average rents statewide
Navajo County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Arizona's 19.4% state average, and its $832 median rent undercuts the state's $1,016 baseline. This rural county delivers genuine housing relief for Arizona residents prioritizing affordability.
Navajo stands out for low rents
At $832 monthly, Navajo County's median rent is the lowest among the seven-county comparison—$215 cheaper than Mohave and $426 less than Yavapai. Even accounting for lower median incomes, Navajo County's rent-to-income ratio remains among the state's most balanced.
Renters and owners both find relief
Navajo County renters pay $832 monthly while homeowners spend $505, both well below state averages for housing costs. The $52,752 median household income means renters dedicate just 18.9% of earnings to housing, leaving more for other needs.
Navajo County: remote work's best-kept secret
If you work remotely or are relocating with portable income, Navajo County's $832 median rent is Arizona's bargain baseline. Compare this affordable foundation to job opportunities in your field before committing to a rural transition.
Navajo County's median household income of $52,752 is 29% below the national median of $74,755, among the lowest in the country. The county faces structural economic challenges tied to limited job diversity and geographic isolation.
Navajo ranks near bottom in Arizona
At $52,752, Navajo County sits well below Arizona's state average of $62,663, lagging by nearly $10,000 annually. The county faces tougher economic headwinds than most Arizona neighbors.
Navajo is county's lowest income peer
Navajo's $52,752 median is the lowest among our Arizona comparison group, below even Santa Cruz ($53,614) and Mohave ($55,799). The per capita income of just $24,347 reflects limited individual earnings across the workforce.
Low rent burden masks affordability gap
Navajo's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% is the healthiest in our group, yet the median home value of $186,100 remains challenging for a population earning $52,752. The apparent affordability masks deeper issues: low incomes make saving for homeownership difficult despite lower property costs.
Navajo residents must prioritize savings discipline
With a median income of $52,752, Navajo households benefit from the county's low housing costs by redirecting savings into retirement and emergency funds. Consider leveraging local nonprofits offering financial literacy and exploring income-boosting opportunities through skills training.
Life expectancy in Navajo County reaches just 67.1 years—more than 11 years below the national average of 78.7 years. Over one in four residents report poor or fair health, the highest rate among Arizona's counties and well above the national average of 18%.
Lowest life expectancy in Arizona
Navajo County's 67.1-year life expectancy ranks last among Arizona's 15 counties, trailing the state average by 6.9 years. At 25.6% poor/fair health, the county faces the most acute health challenges in the state.
Apache and Coconino counties fare better
Adjacent Coconino County residents live approximately 7 years longer, and nearby Apache County shows better health outcomes overall. Navajo's geographic isolation and limited healthcare infrastructure compounds these disparities compared to more urbanized neighboring counties.
Uninsured rate and provider shortage collide
Navajo County has 15.4% of residents uninsured, slightly above the state average, with 63 primary care providers per 100,000 people serving a scattered rural population. Mental health capacity at 106 providers per 100,000 is modest, leaving many residents traveling long distances for essential care.
Coverage is the first step to better health
More than one in six Navajo County residents lack health insurance, delaying critical screenings and medications. Explore Medicaid enrollment, tribal health resources, and ACA marketplace plans at healthcare.gov to find affordable coverage and local providers.
Navajo County scores 88.07 on composite risk, landing in the relatively moderate category but still exceeding national averages. The rating reflects substantial wildfire exposure combined with meaningful flood and earthquake hazards.
Mid-range risk among Arizona counties
Navajo ranks fifth among Arizona's 15 counties with a score of 88.07, moderately above the state average of 84.45. The county sits squarely in Arizona's middle tier, facing meaningful but not extreme overall disaster exposure.
Similar risk to Santa Cruz County
Navajo's 88.07 score closely parallels Santa Cruz County (88.33) and falls below higher-risk neighbors Mohave (94.75) and Yavapai (93.73). The county experiences notably less extreme risk than Arizona's top three counties.
Wildfire and flood top the list
Wildfire risk reaches 98.79, making it Navajo's dominant hazard and among the state's highest. Flood risk at 89.50 and earthquake risk at 81.23 round out the county's significant exposure, while tornadoes (8.05) pose minimal threat.
Prioritize wildfire and flood coverage
Wildfire and flood damage are commonly excluded from standard policies; Navajo residents should obtain separate wildfire and flood insurance. Review your existing homeowners coverage to confirm these critical protections are in place.