17 Pros and Cons Of Living in Yuma Arizona

So you want to know the pros and cons of living in Yuma, Arizona? You’re probably fascinated by the Copper state, the mighty great canyon state of Arizona. Well, you’re on the right blog post. 

Let’s learn a little about Yuma, Arizona. Yuma has a population of greater than 90,000 people and is in the southwestern corner of the state on the U.S.—Mexican Border. The Yuma Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 170,887 as of the 2010 census, making it one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.

Yuma is a city that connects the dots in more ways than one. It’s at one of the lowest points in the state, below sea level. And yet the city experiences the most extreme temperature fluctuations, with the highest recorded temperature being 117 degrees. Yuma stretches across 5 miles of land, which is smaller than some cities, and to make up for it, locals say it’s 5 miles wide! 

So what are the pros and cons of living in Yuma, Arizona? This is a question so many people need answers to. 

Now that we have that out of the way, let me share with you these important points to consider:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY2jq4MtC_o

17 Pros and Cons Of Living in Yuma Arizona

Anywhere you go into the world, there will always be both pros and cons to living in that specific location. This is because no place on this earth is perfect. Luckily, if you’re moving to Yuma, Arizona (AZ), you’re going to have a pretty good experience overall. But let’s talk about the seedy underbelly of Yuma, okay? Because every city, no matter how nice it seems at first glance, has something sinister lurking beneath its surface.

Pros

Yuma Arizona is a very nice city to live in. People who move to Yuma usually stay for the long run because they are drawn to its sense of community, weather and affordable cost of living. So, let’s look at the advantages of living in Yuma.

1. The city is still growing

Yuma Arizona is a Mid-Sized City that sees small but consistent population growth, which honestly, is a good thing. With a population of just over 93 thousand people, you don’t have to worry about living in the fast lane like some of the larger cities in Arizona. Lots of people are moving to Yuma because of its warm weather and low cost of living.

2. It’s a Youthful and Diverse Community

It’s also worth noting that Yuma has a large population of young people. There is plenty to do in Yuma for young people, so you shouldn’t be worried about it being boring. This age group makes up over 41% of Yuma’s population, making it the city’s largest demographic group. 

And they’re a diverse community with 55% Hispanic people, 35% white people, 4% Black people and 2.4% Asian people.

3. Livable

If you’re looking at the pros and cons of living in Yuma Arizona, this advantage sure beats every con on the list. Yuma, Arizona, is livable and I’m not just saying this for the fun of it. The features that show a place is livable is when its crime rates, education, and healthcare. Yuma has been ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in Arizona. But did you know that in 2017, Yuma had a spike in crime? While it’s true that Yuma’s crime rate was 70% higher than in other cities in 2017. The crime rate has been steadily declining in recent years. In fact, the crime rate dropped by nearly 50% from 2017 to 2018. 

The education system in Yuma is also top-notch. If you’re looking for a school district with amazing teachers and programs, then look no further than Yuma Union High School District. Not only do they have an award-winning Fine Arts program, but they also offer many AP classes and Dual Enrollment opportunities through Arizona Western College.

Last but certainly not least, healthcare is another great feature that makes a place livable and Yuma has some of the best doctors/facilities around! If you need any kind or medical.

4. Low Cost of Living

The cost of living in Yuma is significantly below that of the national average — 32.4% less than other parts of the United States. Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is just $705 per month, and utility costs are about 23% lower than in other parts of the country. 

5. Houses are easy to buy

Buying a house is really easy to buy in Yuma, Arizona, and that alone is a good advantage of living there. This is because real estate prices are affordable, so it’s beneficial to buy a house instead of rent.

In Yuma’s real estate market, the median home price is $145,000. This is a bargain when compared to California’s average of $396,500. 

6. Good means of transportation

Transportation is so good here in Yuma, Arizona, that it is much easier to travel. This city offers you not only the best with transportation but also convenience as well. 

And this great means of transportation makes it easy to travel too. So if you love taking road trips, you can get out of Yuma without hassles, take your fun trip and return. It’s no mystery that the most common mode of ground transportation in and around Yuma, Arizona, is driving. And that makes sense, considering there are so many exciting places to go within driving distance, not to mention within Yuma city limits. But sometimes you just can’t fit your car with all the stuff and doggies you want to take on your vacation or adventure. You can always take helicopter rides! 

7. You can visit nature 

Nature surrounds Yuma, Arizona,. You can go whitewater rafting or fishing on the Colorado River, but you can also visit the desert and get a true taste of what it means to be a Yuman. Many people don’t realize how amazing Yuma, Arizona is. You will see why everyone should visit!

8. Great weather

 Yuma is the Sunniest City on Earth, and yes, this Arizona city lives up to its name. The city lies in southwestern Arizona at the base of the western slope of the far-southwestern Kaibab Plateau along the Colorado River. It boasts sunshine and clear skies almost 300 days a year, so when you are feeling overwhelmed living in a big city and want to move somewhere better, remember your neighbor to the south—that’s right, Yuma!

9. Fun place to live

If you are looking for a city to stay relaxed and have fun, Yuma is one good place to consider. Yuma has various annual festivals to enjoy, like Lettuce Days, which celebrates the city’s biggest crop. In Lettuce Days, thousands of people gather at the park on October 6 to celebrate their beloved crop which keeps the farmers around this area busy all year long — starting from seeds sowed in the winter then harvested in the fall before being transported to grocery stores weeks later.

10. It’s a beautiful place with friendly people

Yuma Arizona is a friendly community, which makes it a good place to live. Yuma has many great features like beautiful parks and trails that won’t make you hate exercise. Also, its proximity to the beach. It doesn’t matter if you are a huge beach bum or just someone who enjoys looking at pictures of beautiful beaches on Instagram — everyone can enjoy the beaches in Yuma, Arizona.

Cons

I live by a popular saying, “Live where you’re happy, not where you’re comfortable.” So, when I was drawing up a list of pros and cons of living in Yuma, Arizona, I thought the location would be pro-rife. I mean, it’s so simple (see what I did there?). It has two neighbors: California and Mexico. What more could you want? But as amazing as Yuma Arizona is, it has its downsides. So here are the cons of living in Yuma, Arizona.

11. Yuma is drought stricken

Yes, I know I’ve been talking about the pros and cons of living in Yuma, Arizona, but you might have to consider this one. One downside of living in Yuma, Arizona, is that it’s a drought state. The Colorado River provides water for all the agricultural land in the area and without consistent rain, the farmers here go through long periods with no water at all. The Yuma area gets about four inches of rain per year, but with the hot summers, this isn’t nearly enough to sustain crops like cotton.

12. It can boil in summer

It gets boiling in the summer in Yuma, Arizona. The temperature during the day can hit well over 100 degrees, which makes it uncomfortable to be outside for any length of time. That being said, the heat only lasts for a short amount of time and you can still enjoy yourself while seeing all the wonderful attractions that Yuma offers. 

13. High Unemployment 

The unemployment rate in Yuma is higher than the rest of the country (and Arizona) at 9.2%. The state of Arizona has an unemployment rate of 7.7%, according to the official 2016 data. The data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). According to their website, LAUS provides “a city-by-city look at unemployment rates and local employment statistics.” This can be troublesome to those looking for work, or turning to the city for work, or seeking to start a life there. 

14. Income rate is low

The annual income of people living in Yuma city is less compared to the rest of the people living in Arizona. This is good news for any person looking for cheap places for retirement. With an average personal income of about $32,000, there are a lot of money saving opportunities available to those moving here. But it isn’t a good income for young people.

15. Higher tax rates

There are a lot of Yuma, Arizona residents that think they will pay less taxes by living here. Some have even guessed that their state and local tax might be lower because it’s a more rural area. Either way, there is no escaping the fact that Yuma Arizona sales tax is among the highest in the nation behind places like New York City, Chicago, Hawaii and others. Well over 10%, and sometimes 10.6%. The only reason you will find it more affordable living here is because property values are also low, so your mortgage payments don’t blow you away. But if your goal is to save on taxes and get the best value for your money, then this isn’t the place for you.

16. High Poverty Rate

The poverty rate in the city of Yuma is nearly 20 percent, which is above the national average of 13%. The high rate of poverty is because of high unemployment and other factors. But here’s a good thing: if you are serious about working with people that are struggling financially, there are a few organizations that may need your help.

17. Horrible Drivers

The road between Tucson and Phoenix has some terrible drivers. In fact, Yuma has impatient drivers. Many people complain about dealing with Yuma drivers every day on their way between Tucson, Arizona and Phoenix, Arizona. It usually starts off fine, but once you hit the outskirts of Phoenix and hit rush hour, the Yuma drivers become very aggressive and try to race each other. 

So with these pros and cons of living in Yuma Arizona would you consider living here at all? You have nothing to be afraid of. Like every other place in the world that has its advantages and disadvantages, Yuma does too. I know that living in Yuma, Arizona, is not for everyone, so if you’re thinking about moving to Yuma, Arizona, then you need to consider a few things before deciding. There are many parts of Yuma Arizona which make this place special, but there are also some things that seem that they might be bad at first, but they aren’t really as bad as they may seem. Having said all this, and knowing the pros and cons of living in Yuma, Arizona, would you still live there? Let me know in the comments if you would or not.