countyscore
39.9
County Score
Property Tax 69.4Cost of Living 51.4Weather & Climate 49.8

County Report Card

About Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Santa Cruz nearly matches national livability median

Santa Cruz County's composite score of 39.9 is only 20% below the national median of 50.0, performing better than most of the seven Arizona counties examined. This reflects a more balanced livability profile with fewer extreme strengths or weaknesses.

Slightly below Arizona's state average

Santa Cruz County scores 39.9, nearly identical to Arizona's state average of 40.1, placing it right in the middle of the state's livability rankings. The county's profile mirrors the state as a whole, suggesting fairly typical Arizona conditions.

Most affordable rent and reasonable tax burden

Santa Cruz County offers the second-lowest median rent at $781/month and a cost score of 51.4, making it highly attractive to renters and budget-conscious movers. Its tax score of 69.4 reflects a 0.642% effective tax rate, further supporting affordability.

Limited income and healthcare opportunities

The county's median household income of $53,614 yields an income score of just 22.0, indicating limited wage-earning potential and job quality. Health services score 36.3, suggesting moderate but not robust medical access compared to urban Arizona counties.

Ideal for cost-conscious workers and retirees

Santa Cruz County suits remote workers, retirees, and families prioritizing affordability and border-region character over high incomes and extensive urban services. The county's low rent and tax burden make it excellent for those with independent income sources seeking a quieter, more culturally diverse Arizona lifestyle.

2040608010069.451.427.836.327.52211.734.549.8Tax69.4Cost51.4Safety27.8Health36.3Schools27.5Income22Risk11.7Water34.5Weather49.839.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Santa Cruz County DNA

Foverall

How Santa Cruz County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Santa Cruz County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (11.7/100), though Property Tax (69.4/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
69.4+17.400000000000006
Cost
51.4
Safety
27.8-27.2
Health
36.3-13.700000000000003
Schools
27.5-26.5
Income
22-29
Risk
11.7-35.3
Water
34.5-23.5
Weather
49.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$216,100

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$781/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$216,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,614/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.4

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
Compare Santa Cruz County with Cochise County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
Median income: $58,970
39.9
Navajo County
Arizona
Median income: $52,752
39.9
Del Norte County
California
Median income: $66,780
39.9
Delaware County
Indiana
Median income: $56,932
39.9
Leavenworth County
Kansas
Median income: $86,906
39.9
Rensselaer County
New York
Median income: $86,663
39.9
Fairfield County
Ohio
Median income: $87,069
39.9
Kenosha County
Wisconsin
Median income: $79,412
39.9

Nearby counties

Pima County
Arizona
26.9
Cochise County
Arizona
39.9
Pinal County
Arizona
37.5
Graham County
Arizona
47.6
Hidalgo County
New Mexico
54.1
Maricopa County
Arizona
32.6
Greenlee County
Arizona
70.1
Gila County
Arizona
34.3

Deep Dives

Santa Cruz County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Santa Cruz County

via TaxByCounty

Santa Cruz slightly above national median

Santa Cruz County's 0.642% effective tax rate modestly exceeds the national median of 0.620%, placing it just above the middle of U.S. counties. The median annual property tax of $1,387 remains well below the national median of $2,690, largely because Santa Cruz homes average $216,100—significantly less than the national median of $281,900.

Santa Cruz close to Arizona average

At 0.642%, Santa Cruz County's effective tax rate sits 10% above Arizona's state average of 0.581%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. The median tax bill of $1,387 slightly exceeds the state median of $1,349 despite lower home values.

Santa Cruz taxes more than some neighbors

Santa Cruz County's 0.642% rate edges out Navajo County (0.605%) by a slim margin, but significantly undercuts Pima County's 0.783%. Pinal County to the east charges 0.517%, offering slightly lower property tax rates for comparable homes.

What Santa Cruz homeowners pay

On a median home valued at $216,100, Santa Cruz residents pay approximately $1,387 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes remain fairly stable at $1,393; without one, they're $1,377.

Check your assessment now

Santa Cruz County homeowners may find opportunities to reduce their tax burden through assessment appeals. If you believe your property was overvalued, filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and could lower your annual taxes for years to come.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Santa Cruz County

via CostByCounty

Santa Cruz beats national affordability

Santa Cruz County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among the seven counties and well below national norms, delivering genuine affordability for renters. The median rent of just $781 monthly is a bargain, though the $53,614 household income reflects rural Arizona's wage reality.

Santa Cruz: Arizona's affordability champion

Santa Cruz County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio is the best in the state comparison, beating Arizona's 19.4% average significantly. The $781 median rent is the lowest in the seven-county analysis, making Santa Cruz a genuine haven for rent-burdened Arizona residents.

Lowest rents in rural Arizona

Santa Cruz's $781 monthly rent undercuts Navajo County's $832 by $51 and stands nearly half Yavapai County's $1,258. Though median incomes are modest, Santa Cruz renters enjoy the state's most favorable ratio of rent-to-earnings.

Housing eats minimal income share

Santa Cruz renters pay $781 monthly while homeowners spend $955, with the $53,614 median income meaning renters devote just 17.5% to rent. This leaves significantly more breathing room in household budgets compared to state peers.

Santa Cruz for rural affordability seekers

Santa Cruz County is ideal for those prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs and don't require major metro job markets or urban amenities. Compare the $216,100 median home value and $781 rent against your current location; you may find substantial savings possible.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Santa Cruz County

via IncomeByCounty

Santa Cruz income falls well below national

Santa Cruz County's median household income of $53,614 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 28%, among the nation's lowest. The border county faces economic pressures tied to limited job diversity and cross-border trade dynamics.

Santa Cruz ranks among Arizona's lowest

At $53,614, Santa Cruz County falls $9,049 below Arizona's state average of $62,663. The county represents one of the state's most economically challenged areas.

Santa Cruz ranks third-lowest in group

Santa Cruz's $53,614 exceeds only Navajo County ($52,752) among our peers, ranking below even Mohave ($55,799). The per capita income of $25,634 reflects limited individual earning potential across the workforce.

Best affordability ratio in Arizona group

Santa Cruz's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% is the lowest among all counties studied, reflecting affordable housing markets. However, the median home value of $216,100 still requires significant savings from households earning just $53,614.

Santa Cruz residents should maximize assistance

With a median income of $53,614, Santa Cruz households benefit from exceptional housing affordability by channeling savings into emergency funds and retirement accounts. Explore local and federal programs supporting low-to-moderate income households, plus community financial literacy resources.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Santa Cruz County

via CrimeByCounty

Santa Cruz County Safety Overview

Santa Cruz County is notably safer than the national average, with a total crime rate of 1,743.4 compared to 2,385.5. It earns a strong safety score of 97.2.

Tracking with Arizona State Averages

The county closely tracks the Arizona average safety score of 97.4. Its total crime rate of 1,743.4 is just slightly higher than the state average of 1,677.3.

Low Violent Crime Rates vs Neighbors

Santa Cruz enjoys a violent crime rate of only 146.3, which is less than half of what neighbor Yuma County experiences. This makes it one of the calmest border regions for violent incidents.

Property vs Violent Crime Analysis

Property crime accounts for 1,597.1 incidents per 100K, while violent crime is remarkably low at 146.3. Most reported issues in this region involve property rather than personal safety.

Staying Alert in Santa Cruz

With only two reporting agencies covering the area, community awareness is key to maintaining safety. Residents should focus on securing homes against property theft to keep rates low.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Santa Cruz County

via SchoolsByCounty

Focused Education in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County operates a streamlined system of 31 public schools serving 10,542 students. These schools are organized into 12 districts, with a strong focus on elementary and high school levels.

Outperforming State and National Graduation Rates

Santa Cruz County boasts an impressive 90.2% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 81% and the national benchmark of 87%. It achieves these results despite a per-pupil expenditure of $4,869, which is below the state average.

Nogales Unified Leads the Region

Nogales Unified District is the county's largest, educating 5,687 students across 11 schools. Charter schools represent about 19.4% of the local options, providing specialized choices for families in the area.

Town-Centered Learning with High Enrollment

Education is concentrated in town settings, where 21 of the 31 schools are located. Nogales High School is the county's largest campus, serving 1,796 students and acting as a central community hub.

Securing a Home Near Top Schools

With graduation rates higher than the national average, Santa Cruz County is an attractive target for education-focused homebuyers. Explore properties near the Nogales or Rio Rico areas to take advantage of these high-performing districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Santa Cruz County

via RiskByCounty

Santa Cruz moderately exceeds baseline

Santa Cruz County scores 88.33 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively moderate category above national averages. The score reflects meaningful wildfire and flood exposure balanced against lower earthquake and minimal tornado threat.

Mid-tier risk in Arizona

Santa Cruz ranks sixth among Arizona's 15 counties with a score of 88.33, slightly above the state average of 84.45. The county sits in Arizona's moderate-risk band, neither among the highest nor the lowest disaster-exposed areas.

Similar to Navajo, lower than Mohave

Santa Cruz's 88.33 closely mirrors Navajo County (88.07) and falls below higher-risk neighbors Mohave (94.75), Pinal (93.83), and Yavapai (93.73). The county represents a middle ground in Arizona's disaster-risk spectrum.

Wildfire and flood lead the hazards

Wildfire risk stands at 98.06 and flood risk at 87.40, making these Santa Cruz's primary concerns. Earthquake risk at 43.48 is moderate, while tornado risk (8.68) and hurricane risk (17.27) remain comparatively low.

Don't skip wildfire and flood coverage

Wildfire and flood damage are nearly always excluded from standard homeowners policies; Santa Cruz residents must purchase separate coverage. Even in a moderate-risk county, these specific protections are non-negotiable given the 98.06 wildfire score.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Santa Cruz County

via WaterByCounty

Small County Faces Compliance Hurdles

Santa Cruz County receives an F grade based on 23 health violations over five years. The violation rate of 48.3 per 100,000 residents is among the lowest in the state, yet these failures still breach safety standards. The county performs better than the state average of 140.2 but struggles with consistency.

One-Fifth of Waterways Are Impaired

Exactly 20.0% of the 30 assessed water bodies in the county are impaired, which is double the Arizona state average. The 2022 ATTAINS reporting identifies copper, pH imbalances, and cadmium as the primary threats. These impairments reflect the lingering impacts of historic mining and natural mineral deposits.

Active Monitoring of Mining Indicators

Technicians at 172 monitoring sites have logged 30,402 measurements over the last five years. The Water Quality Portal data shows a heavy emphasis on metals, inorganics, and physical water properties. This monitoring density is vital for tracking the runoff from the region's mineral-rich terrain.

Santa Cruz River Runs Dry

The primary USGS gauge on the Santa Cruz River at Tubac currently reports a discharge of 0 cubic feet per second. This is a significant drop from the long-term mean of 24 cfs for this time of year. The river currently provides zero surface flow through this monitored reach.

Guard Against Heavy Metal Contamination

With 20% of waterways impaired by metals like copper and cadmium, local residents should prioritize effective home water filtration. Families should avoid drinking untreated surface water due to high impairment risks in local streams. Frequent testing is recommended for those using private wells near historical mining areas.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Santa Cruz County

via WeatherByCounty

Mild and Moist Southern Borderlands

Santa Cruz County averages 61.7°F annually, which is warmer than the national median but cooler than much of the desert Southwest. It is one of the wettest regions in Arizona, receiving 16.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Cooler and Wetter Than the State Average

The county's 61.7°F average is nearly two degrees cooler than the Arizona state average of 63.5°F. It also exceeds the state's average rainfall by nearly 4 inches, making it a relatively lush environment for the region.

A Cooler Refuge Near Pima County

Santa Cruz is noticeably cooler than Pima County, which averages 68.1°F just to the north. It also receives significantly more moisture than Yuma, which survives on only 4.1 inches of rain compared to Santa Cruz's 16.1.

Moderate Summers and Soft Winters

July averages a temperate 78.2°F, supported by only 90 days of extreme heat per year. Winters are comfortable with a 47.0°F average and negligible snowfall of only 0.4 inches.

Plan for Rain and Moderate Sun

The 16.1 inches of rain mean residents should maintain good drainage systems and prepare for a vibrant growing season. While there are 90 heat days, the mild 78.2°F July average allows for more outdoor flexibility than neighboring counties.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Santa Cruz County

via SoilByCounty

High-Elevation Border Soils

Santa Cruz County boasts a diverse, high-elevation terrain where formal soil classification data is currently limited. While the average pH is unrecorded, these soils likely vary from the 6.5 national median based on the surrounding mountain mineralogy. A simple test kit can help you identify your specific soil's chemical profile.

A Landscape in Transition

Precise measurements of sand, silt, and clay are not currently available for this southern border county. This mix is the primary factor in how your soil breathes and holds onto the moisture it receives. Investigating your local texture is essential for planning any construction or cultivation.

Thriving Between the Rains

Local benchmarks for organic matter and water capacity are not present in current state datasets. To reach the 2.0% national average for organic matter, most southern Arizona soils require consistent composting. Boosting fertility helps your landscape thrive during the dry periods between rains.

Water Flow and Erosion Control

The county lacks official data on drainage classes and hydrologic groups at this time. In this rugged landscape, understanding how water flows is the key to preventing erosion and maintaining healthy plants. Look for signs of runoff or standing water on your property to understand its unique hydrology.

Vineyards and Orchards in Zone 8a

Santa Cruz County sits in Hardiness Zone 8a, benefiting from cooler temperatures and higher rainfall than its northern neighbors. This climate is perfect for specialty crops like grapes and stone fruits. Start planting today to take advantage of this unique Arizona microclimate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Santa Cruz County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Challenges in Southern Arizona

Santa Cruz County’s lawn difficulty score of 16.6 is better than the Arizona average of 13.7. Though it remains more difficult than the national average of 50.0, this Zone 8a county offers a more hospitable climate for turf than its northern neighbors.

Higher Rainfall and Lower Heat

This county receives 16.1 inches of annual precipitation, the highest in this group and well above the state average of 12.3. With 90 extreme heat days, the thermal stress is significantly lower than in the low-desert regions of Pinal or Pima.

Optimizing Your High-Elevation Soil

While specific soil data for the county is limited, the increased rainfall can lead to different nutrient leaching patterns than seen in drier areas. Aim to improve your soil's drainage and organic content to make the most of the 16.1 inches of rain.

Resilience During Dry Intervals

Santa Cruz has seen 46 weeks of drought over the past year, with 64% of the area currently abnormally dry. These conditions are milder than elsewhere in Arizona, but water conservation remains vital during the hot summer months.

Planning for the Spring Thaw

Zoysia or Bermuda grasses are excellent choices for this 4,785 growing degree day environment. Wait until after the last spring frost on April 16 to begin your planting for the best results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Santa Cruz County's county score?
Santa Cruz County, Arizona has a composite county score of 39.9 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 Santa Cruz County rank among counties in Arizona?
Santa Cruz County ranks #7 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 Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
The median annual property tax in Santa Cruz County is $1,387, with an effective tax rate of 0.64%. This earns Santa Cruz County a tax score of 69.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Santa Cruz County?
The median household income in Santa Cruz County, Arizona is $53,614 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Santa Cruz County earns an income score of 22/100 on CountyScore.
Is Santa Cruz County, Arizona a good place to live?
Santa Cruz County scores 39.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #7 in Arizona. The best way to evaluate Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.