countyscore
40.9
County Score
Property Tax 92.4Income & Jobs 60.9Weather & Climate 53

County Report Card

About Yavapai County, Arizona

Yavapai slightly outperforms national livability average

Yavapai County's composite score of 40.7 edges just slightly above the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the lower-middle tier nationally. While not exceptional, the county performs better than most of its Arizona peers, suggesting relatively balanced livability conditions.

Top-performing county in Arizona's seven

Yavapai County scores 40.7, marginally above Arizona's state average of 40.1 and is the highest-scoring county among the seven examined. This makes it one of Arizona's more livable regions overall.

Lowest taxes and solid incomes statewide

Yavapai County boasts Arizona's lowest effective tax rate at 0.441% with a tax score of 91.3, the highest among the seven counties. Its income score of 57.2 reflects a median household income of $66,106, indicating solid earning potential for a rural-leaning county.

Housing costs rising and schools need improvement

The county's cost score of just 22.1 reveals a concerning trend: median home values have risen to $392,900—the highest among the seven counties—with $1,258/month rent. School ratings at 7.3 are weak, suggesting families should investigate districts closely.

Best for affluent retirees and remote workers

Yavapai County appeals to affluent retirees and remote workers seeking mountain scenery, low taxes, and strong safety/health scores without urban constraints. However, rising home prices signal gentrification; prospective buyers should expect escalating costs but will enjoy solid quality-of-life fundamentals.

2040608010092.421.145.148.17.360.96.318.653Tax92.4Cost21.1Safety45.1Health48.1Schools7.3Income60.9Risk6.3Water18.6Weather5340.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

Yavapai County DNA

Foverall

How Yavapai County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Yavapai County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (92.4/100) but notably weak in Schools (7.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
92.4+40.400000000000006
Cost
21.1-26.9
Safety
45.1-9.899999999999999
Health
48.1
Schools
7.3-46.7
Income
60.9+9.899999999999999
Risk
6.3-40.7
Water
18.6-39.4
Weather
53
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Compare mortgage rates in Yavapai County

Whether buying or refinancing in Yavapai County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$425,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,351/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$425,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$54,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,613/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

24.8

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 Yavapai County with Brevard County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Brevard County
Florida
Median income: $78,476
40.9
Lanier County
Georgia
Median income: $47,186
40.9
Mecosta County
Michigan
Median income: $60,951
40.9
Doña Ana County
New Mexico
Median income: $56,848
40.9
Camden County
North Carolina
Median income: $91,078
40.9
Yamhill County
Oregon
Median income: $90,063
40.9
Anderson County
South Carolina
Median income: $66,651
40.9
Hempstead County
Arkansas
Median income: $46,787
40.8

Nearby counties

Coconino County
Arizona
35.5
Maricopa County
Arizona
32.8
Gila County
Arizona
35.4
Mohave County
Arizona
33.2
Navajo County
Arizona
39.7
La Paz County
Arizona
36.4
Pinal County
Arizona
37.8
Clark County
Nevada
31.3

Deep Dives

Yavapai County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Yavapai County

via TaxByCounty

Yavapai has Arizona's lowest rate

Yavapai County's 0.441% effective tax rate ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, nearly 30% below the national median of 0.620%. Despite this exceptionally low rate, the median annual tax of $1,734 reflects Yavapai's expensive median home value of $392,900—among Arizona's highest.

Yavapai offers lowest Arizona taxes

With a 0.441% effective rate, Yavapai County boasts Arizona's lowest property tax burden, 24% below the state average of 0.581%. The median property tax of $1,734 exceeds state medians, but that's entirely because Yavapai residents own some of the state's most expensive homes.

Yavapai substantially undercuts others

Yavapai's 0.441% rate is dramatically lower than Navajo County (0.605%) and Mohave County (0.485%), offering the best tax rates in northern Arizona. Even compared to Pinal County (0.517%) to the south, Yavapai residents enjoy noticeably lower effective tax rates.

What Yavapai homeowners pay yearly

On a median home valued at $392,900, Yavapai residents pay approximately $1,734 in annual property taxes. With or without a mortgage, taxes remain remarkably similar—$1,736 and $1,730 respectively—indicating fairly stable assessments.

Even low rates deserve checking

Yavapai's already-low tax rate doesn't mean your individual property assessment is accurate. File an appeal with the Yavapai County assessor if you suspect overvaluation; even a small percentage reduction on a $392,900 home can save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yavapai County

via IncomeByCounty

Yavapai income approaches national average

Yavapai County's median household income of $66,106 falls 12% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it slightly below the U.S. benchmark. The county's economy benefits from Prescott's tourism and retiree population.

Yavapai exceeds Arizona's typical income

At $66,106, Yavapai County trails Arizona's state average of $62,663 by just $3,443 annually. The county performs solidly within Arizona's economic landscape, buoyed by regional amenities and retirement migration.

Yavapai ranks fourth among Arizona peers

Yavapai's $66,106 income ranks fourth in our comparison group, behind Pinal ($77,588) and Pima ($67,929) but ahead of Yuma ($60,417). The county supports middle-class earnings through tourism and professional services.

High home values strain housing affordability

Despite a reasonable rent-to-income ratio of 22.8%, Yavapai's median home value of $392,900 is the highest in our group—a significant challenge for households earning $66,106. The county's desirability has driven property costs that now exceed incomes' purchasing power.

Yavapai residents must plan for housing costs

With a median income of $66,106 and median home values of $392,900, Yavapai households should prioritize aggressive savings and down-payment assistance programs. Consider alternative housing strategies like co-investments or phased relocation as property costs continue climbing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Yavapai County

via CrimeByCounty

Yavapai County Leads Region in Public Safety

Yavapai County boasts a safety score of 98.1, outperforming the national total crime rate by over 1,000 points. Its total rate of 1,224.4 per 100K is nearly half the national average.

State Ranking and Safety Performance

Yavapai ranks as one of the safer regions in the state, comfortably beating the Arizona average safety score of 97.4. Its crime rate is roughly 450 points lower than the state average.

Yavapai County vs Neighboring Mohave

Yavapai is significantly safer than neighboring Mohave County, which reports nearly double the crime per 100K residents. It maintains a peaceful profile compared to all its regional neighbors.

Extremely Low Property Crime Rates

The county sees a property crime rate of only 914.5 per 100K, which is less than half the national average. Violent crime remains steady at 309.9, mirroring wider state trends.

Preserving Yavapai's High Safety Score

While Yavapai is exceptionally safe, nine reporting agencies still recommend basic home security measures. Maintaining a visible security presence helps preserve the county's high safety standing.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Yavapai County

via WeatherByCounty

A Temperate Climate in the Highlands

Yavapai County maintains an average temperature of 60.4°F, which is just slightly warmer than the national median. It receives a healthy 15.4 inches of precipitation, making it more moisture-rich than the typical American desert county.

The Goldilocks Zone of Arizona

Yavapai sits below the Arizona state average of 63.5°F, offering a cooler alternative to the southern deserts. Its 15.4 inches of rain also surpasses the state average of 12.3 inches, supporting more diverse vegetation.

Milder Than Mohave, Cooler Than Pima

With an average of 60.4°F, Yavapai is significantly cooler than Mohave (65.9°F) and Pima (68.1°F). It offers a more temperate climate than its lower-elevation neighbors while maintaining a similar rainfall profile to Santa Cruz.

Four Distinct but Mild Seasons

The county sees 93 days of heat over 90°F, but the July average remains a manageable 80.3°F. Winter brings a dusting of 3.2 inches of snow and a chilly but pleasant January average of 43.4°F.

Versatile Gear for Changing Conditions

Residents should own a mix of light summer clothing and medium-weight winter coats to handle the 3.2 inches of snow. The 15.4 inches of rain makes rain barrels and garden planning popular and productive activities.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Yavapai County

via SoilByCounty

Mountains to Desert Basins

Yavapai County spans from desert to forest, yet its soil taxonomy and pH levels remain largely unmapped. Without data to compare against the 6.5 national median, gardeners should expect significant variation across the county's elevations. Identifying your soil's personality starts with a local sample.

Understanding Earth Texture

Data on the specific percentages of sand, silt, and clay is currently unavailable for this diverse region. The texture determines whether your soil drains too fast or stays waterlogged for too long. Feeling the soil between your fingers can tell you a lot about its workability and needs.

Cultivating the High Desert

Official figures for organic matter and water capacity are not currently recorded for Yavapai County. Most native soils will fall short of the 2.0% national organic matter average without human intervention. Amending your soil with compost transforms these rugged lands into fertile garden beds.

Landscaping for Drainage

With no official drainage class or hydrologic group data, local observation is your best guide. Proper drainage management is essential in hilly terrain to prevent topsoil loss during heavy summer rains. Observe your land's natural water patterns to plan your landscaping effectively.

Versatile Gardening in Zone 8b

Hardiness Zone 8b covers much of Yavapai County, providing a versatile climate for a wide variety of plants. You can grow everything from rosemary and lavender to hardy vegetables and fruit trees. Embrace the high-desert lifestyle by starting your own productive garden this season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Yavapai County

via LawnByCounty

Yavapai's Favorable High-Desert Balance

Yavapai County scores a 17.6 for lawn difficulty, outperforming the state average of 13.7. Located in Hardiness Zone 8b, it provides a middle ground for Arizona growers who want a lawn without the extreme heat of the southern valleys.

Managing the 93 Heat Days

With 93 extreme heat days, Yavapai stays below the state average of 113. The 15.4 inches of annual precipitation helps bridge the gap toward the ideal 30-inch mark, though supplemental irrigation is still necessary.

Developing Your Growing Base

Specific soil data is unavailable, but the 4,697 growing degree days suggest a vigorous growing season for the right species. To ensure success, focus on adding organic material to the soil to buffer against Yavapai's dry spells.

Smart Watering in Yavapai

The county experienced 43 weeks of drought last year, and 46% of the land is currently abnormally dry. This is better than many neighboring counties, but efficient watering remains key to maintaining turf health during the peaks of summer.

Seeding for Success in Yavapai

Warm-season grasses perform well here, as do some transition-zone blends. The spring planting window opens after April 7, giving you plenty of time to establish roots before the first fall frost on November 10.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yavapai County's county score?
Yavapai County, Arizona has a composite county score of 40.9 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 Yavapai County rank among counties in Arizona?
Yavapai County ranks #4 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 Yavapai County, Arizona?
The median annual property tax in Yavapai County is $1,750, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Yavapai County a tax score of 92.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Yavapai County?
The median household income in Yavapai County, Arizona is $69,613 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Yavapai County earns an income score of 60.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Yavapai County, Arizona a good place to live?
Yavapai County scores 40.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in Arizona. The best way to evaluate Yavapai 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 Yavapai County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.