CountyScore

Santa Cruz County

Arizona · AZ

#9 in Arizona
64.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Santa Cruz significantly outperforms nation

Santa Cruz County's composite score of 73.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 48%, placing it well above typical U.S. counties. This performance is virtually tied with Arizona's state average of 73.9, reflecting balanced livability.

Right at Arizona's state average

Santa Cruz's score of 73.8 closely matches the Arizona state average of 73.9, making it a representative county within the state's livability landscape. Among these seven counties, it ranks third overall.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Santa Cruz boasts a cost score of 79.9 with median rent just $781 per month and median home values of $216,100—excellent value. Its tax score of 84.2 reflects an effective rate of 0.642%, keeping tax burden low.

Income levels constrain economic potential

Santa Cruz's income score of 18.4 reflects a median household income of $53,614, among the lowest in this group. Complete safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, limiting full livability assessment.

Ideal for cost-conscious families

Santa Cruz County attracts families and retirees seeking maximum housing value and low taxes without priority on high incomes. It's particularly suited to those relocating from costlier regions who want to stretch limited resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.2Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth56.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk11.7WaterComing Soon
🏛84.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.7
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 Santa Cruz County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gordon County
Georgia
64.4
Median income: $61,997
Macon County
Georgia
64.4
Median income: $37,177
Davis County
Iowa
64.4
Median income: $79,505
Saline County
Kansas
64.4
Median income: $63,316
Platte County
Missouri
64.4
Median income: $95,748

Deep Dives

Santa Cruz County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Health in Santa Cruz County

via HealthByCounty

Santa Cruz leads the nation in longevity

Santa Cruz County residents live an average of 79.9 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 78.7 years by 1.2 years. Yet this longevity paradox masks deeper challenges: 25.3% report poor or fair health, significantly above the national rate of 18%.

Longest life expectancy, persistent health disparities

At 79.9 years, Santa Cruz County holds Arizona's highest life expectancy, yet the county's 25.3% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the state. This gap suggests that longevity masks significant population health challenges and unmet healthcare needs.

Health outcomes lag behind neighboring Cochise

While Santa Cruz leads the state in average life expectancy, its residents report worse health outcomes than neighboring Cochise County. The county's border location and economic factors compound healthcare access and prevention challenges despite strong longevity statistics.

Uninsured rates and provider scarcity strain county

Santa Cruz County has the highest uninsured rate in Arizona at 20.0%, meaning one in five residents lack health coverage. With just 38 primary care providers and 57 mental health providers per 100,000, access to preventive and behavioral health care remains severely limited.

One in five residents needs health coverage

Santa Cruz County's 20% uninsured rate—the highest in Arizona—means thousands miss essential preventive care and screenings. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local enrollment helper to explore Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, or community health center options in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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

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.