Yuma receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Yuma
Sierra Vista-Douglas
Opportunity
16 · Bottom 1%
vs17 · Bottom 1%
Growth
69 · Top 19%
vs41 · Bottom 35%
Climate
60 · Bottom 24%
vs70 · Top 40%
Physical resilience
20 · Bottom 9%
vs18 · Bottom 7%
Housing affordability
93 · Bottom 44%
vs88 · Bottom 32%
Access
33 · Bottom 4%
vs52 · Bottom 14%
Economic stability
23 · Bottom 13%
vs24 · Bottom 14%
Measured values
| Metric | Yuma | Sierra Vista-Douglas | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,741 | 125,566 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $62,876 | $59,742 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $30,204 | $33,002 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 38/sq mi | 20/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $217,800 | $218,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $993 | $995 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.0% | 71.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 16.5% | 6.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -4.0% | -6.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.8% | 28.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | 15.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,215 | 406 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 5.7 | 3.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 3.1% | -1.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 106°F | 94°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 43°F | 28°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 4.0" | 11.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 100 mi | 71 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.8 min | 24.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.1 | 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
Yuma
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, heat wave.
Sierra Vista-Douglas
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, inland flooding.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Yuma
45
Your Score
44
Area Score
Sierra Vista-Douglas
44
Your Score
41
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Yuma, AZ Metro Area · Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology