Signals
Payson
Sierra Vista-Douglas
Growth
37 · Bottom 30%
vs41 · Bottom 35%
Climate
66 · Bottom 48%
vs70 · Top 40%
Physical resilience
14 · Bottom 5%
vs18 · Bottom 7%
Housing affordability
80 · Bottom 21%
vs88 · Bottom 32%
Access
68 · Bottom 35%
vs52 · Bottom 14%
Economic stability
12 · Bottom 3%
vs24 · Bottom 14%
Measured values
| Metric | Payson | Sierra Vista-Douglas | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,795 | 125,566 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $61,986 | $59,742 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,047 | $33,002 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 11/sq mi | 20/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $269,400 | $218,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,030 | $995 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 77.5% | 71.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 28.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 16.9% | 15.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 125 | 406 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.3 | 3.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -37.5% | -1.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 93°F | 94°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 26°F | 28°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.8" | 11.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 59 mi | 71 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.1 min | 24.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 51.1 | 43.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Payson
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire.
Sierra Vista-Douglas
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, inland flooding.
Your best match
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Payson
46
Your Score
—
Area Score
Sierra Vista-Douglas
44
Your Score
41
Area Score
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Full profiles: Payson, AZ Micro Area · Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology