Yuma is a city in the southwest corner of the country in the Sonoran Desert sub-region.
It borders the Colorado River and the Mexican border.
Moving to a new city, especially one like Yuma, you need to consider factors such as family, education, cost of living, and quality of life.
Every place usually has its advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s look at some of them to help you decide whether it’s an excellent place to move to in the future.
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Pros of Living in Yuma
Below is why settling in Yuma, AZ is worth it.
1. Affordable Housing
Yuma is a great place to move to if you have a family.
Housing is affordable, and most people in the city are homeowners for this reason.
Housing in the US ranges at about $400,000 and above.
Yuma houses go for as low as $250,000, and apartments go for $700 a month.
You can easily find a decent home to live in with your family.
Different communities vary in the size of houses.
Therefore, you can get mid-sized housing at an affordable price and to your preference.
2. Low Cost of Living
People move to this part of the country because it is not densely populated.
Therefore, the cost of living is lower than in other places in the country.
Yuma’s cost of living is around 11.8% lower than the rest of the country.
In addition, affordable housing has impacted the low cost of living.
Utility costs are lower than in other places in the US.
Therefore, the cost of living is lower compared to other regions, which favors people seeking to move due to tight budgets.
3. Constant Growth
Yuma is a mid-sized city that is in constant growth.
The economy grows and gets stronger each day.
Yuma’s economy boasts $3.2 billion in agribusiness, which is the economy’s foundation.
It has also created job opportunities through new investments such as manufacturing renewable energy.
Yuma sees population growth also but is not overcrowded like other larger cities in the country.
People move to Yuma because of the good weather but also to settle down as it is a peaceful place with welcoming communities.
4. Diverse and Youthful Community
Yuma’s majority population is young.
The growth in job opportunities and diverse education system have attracted the country’s youth to Yuma.
Over 40% of Yuma’s population is between the ages of 20-29.
Therefore, it shows that Yuma is a great place to relocate for work.
There are diverse races in Yuma, the majority being Hispanic.
However, others, such as Whites, Blacks, and Asians.
The cultures of communities living in Yuma are celebrated on different occasions and events.
5. Favorable Weather
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Yuma is considered the Sunniest City on Earth.
. Yuma sees 4000 hours of sunshine annually.
The high temperatures can be a disadvantage to some people, but this is the perfect place to live for someone coming from non-favorable weather conditions.
Although the sun is hot, the heat comes with low humidity, thus keeping the skin dry and cool.
Interestingly, even though the temperatures in Yuma are always high, there are cooler temperatures in seasons like fall and winter, and you have to dress warmly.
6. Top-notch Education System
The Yuma education system is top-notch, with some of the best district schools and colleges.
Yuma School District One is the largest elementary school district in the county, with over 9,000 students, 1,300 employees, and has astounding teachers.
Yuma is also known for its excellent colleges.
For example, Yuma Union High School District is known for its award-winning visual arts program.
Arizona Western College also offers dual enrollment, allowing students to explore and increase their success rate.
7. Working Health System
A sound healthcare system is one of the features that make any place livable.
Yuma Regional Medical Center is the largest healthcare provider in the county.
It has some of the best doctors and healthcare providers.
It offers employees health benefits.
In addition, they have a strong ‘Patients Come First’ motto that looks out for the community’s needs by providing diverse medical insurance cover.
8. Good Mode of Transport
Yuma offers not only a suitable mode of transport but also convenience.
It is halfway between San Diego and Phoenix.
In addition, some of the main roads pass through Yuma, such as Arizona State Route I-95 and Interstate 8.
Therefore, it is no rocket science that the primary mode of transport is by road, convenient for road trips and long-distance covers to work.
There is also an international airport for trips beyond the highways.
This airport also serves as the Airstation in Yuma for the US Marine Corps.
9. Diverse Job Opportunities
Yuma, throughout its growth, is creating job opportunities with each passing day.
Agribusiness is the largest industry in Yuma.
It supplies leafy vegetables to 80% of the US, especially during the winter.
In addition, farms such as the lettuce farms create employment for over 40,000 people.
Renewable energy industries have also created quality employment in the region.
The sector brings more investors to Yuma, which will, in turn, create more job opportunities.
Additionally, Yuma is a hotbed for tourism due to its beautiful weather conditions all year round.
The military has been in Yuma for over 150 years.
It built its base in Fort Yuma, which served as a depot for supplies to soldiers.
Currently, the Marine Corps Airstation uses the field as an academic military hub and Marine Air Base.
In addition, the US Army Yuma Proving Ground is the nation’s weapon testing facility.
Cons of Living in Yuma
All places that have their advantages must also have their disadvantages.
So let’s look at some of the disadvantages of living in Yuma.
1. Affected by Drought
Due to Yuma being the hottest place on earth, it suffers from drought year-round.
Yuma’s primary water source is the Colorado River and Imperial Dam, which diverts the water to the All-American Canal that supplies water to Yuma for agriculture.
Yuma county can go for long periods without rain.
Therefore, farmers submit irrigation orders to ensure they have enough water for their crops.
This order grants them access to water from the canal after two to three days.
Before relocating to Yuma, you must have researched and know there are issues even with domestic water.
The water utility bill is the only bill that comes high due to the county being drought-stricken.
Therefore, it is wise to ration water for domestic use.
2. Extreme Hot Conditions in the Summer
During the summer, it gets boiling.
Yuma is located in the Sonoran Desert sub-region.
The city hits over 100 degrees in the summer.
These extreme temperatures can take time to get used to if you relocate to Yuma.
Also, this is not the place for you if you have skin conditions.
3. High Crime Rate
Violent crime rates have risen in the city more than anywhere else nationwide.
The FBI reported 717 violent crimes in Yuma as of 2020.
This increase is three times higher than any other place and the general nationwide increase.
Yuma’s crime rate is 32.3, and the US average is 22.7.
4. Increased Tax Rates
The sales taxes in Yuma are higher than in other places in the country.
Yuma’s sales tax is 8.4%, while Arizona’s is 5.6%.
There is also an increase in tax by 2% for hotels, restaurants, and bars.
The average country’s sales tax is 7.3%, and you are therefore spending more to buy.
The tax rates are also essential when choosing to relocate to Yuma, as they can affect the overall cost of living.
5. Low-Income Rates
According to the US Census, Yuma’s median income as of 2020 was $48,000, whereas the average income in the US is $67,000.
This proves that the income rate is lower in Yuma than in the state.
The poverty rate is high in Yuma at around 17%, whereas the average rate in the US is 12% or below.
The low-income rate could be reasonable if one is looking for a good retirement place for better saving power, but is not suitable for young people seeking to grow.
Pros and Cons of Living in Yuma, AZ – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Yuma | Cons of Living in Yuma |
|---|---|
| 1. Affordable Housing | 1. Affected by Drought |
| 2. Low Cost of Living | 2. Extreme Hot Conditions in the Summer |
| 3. Constant Growth | 3. High Crime Rate |
| 4. Diverse and Youthful Community | 4. Increased Tax Rates |
| 5. Favorable Weather | 5. Low-Income Rates |
| 6. Top-notch Education System | |
| 7. Working Health System | |
| 8. Good Mode of Transport | |
| 9. Diverse Job Opportunities |
Yuma Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Yuma Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yuma known for?
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Yuma is known for being the Sunniest City on Earth.
This means sunshine and warm and humid weather year-round.
This makes the city a tourist attraction for people seeking better weather conditions during winter vacations.
What are some of the beautiful places to visit in Yuma?
Yuma Territorial Prison State Park is an excellent place to visit, with historically preserved cells and a Wild-West guard tower.
In addition, Castle Dome Mines Museum and Ghost Town have buildings filled with the history of Castle Dome mining and are great places to visit.
What is the Safest and Best Place to Live in Yuma?
Fortuna Foothills is one of the best places to live in Arizona.
It has a rural and suburban touch to it with good security.
The neighborhood is diverse, and the facilities such as schools are above average, an excellent place to relocate and start a family.
What is the main industry in Yuma?
Yuma holds the largest agribusiness nationwide.
Despite the city being drought-stricken, it supplies leafy vegetables nationwide, especially during winter to the rest of the country.
The military is also a strong point for Yuma.
The city is the hub of the Marine Corps Airstation.
Is Yuma safe for my family?
Crime rates in Yuma were high in the past years up to 2020, but have seen a decrease since then.
Chances of violent or property crimes in Yuma are as low as 1 in 68.
Yuma is not one of the safest cities in the US, but it is not as bad as other cities.
Is Yuma a good place to retire?
Yuma is a good place for retirement as the cost of living is low for the average American.
The income rate is also inadequate, thus high saving power.
If you are looking for a place to relocate for retirement, then Yuma is a “rest easy” place for you.
😂😂😂. This was funny. Traffic is horrible, esp in the winter months. The heat index got to around 110 in April! The poverty is so bad because everything costs so much. You have to have a lot of money to move in and settle here. If you buy land be prepared to spend $20000 before you ever start building because you can’t do anything here without a building permit and going through all the loops with their selected people. I could go on, but what’s the point. Just wish I’d known the truth before I had tried to settle here.
I agree Yuma is a hot cesspool. Lots of break-in to homes & cars. Sex crimes are up consistently. Border is a mess. Think twice before you move here.
Lived here twice.
First time 20 years. Then moved to PA. Moved back recently to Yuma 2.5 later.
I love the culture diversity.
Yes, NYC has that as well. Lived there in the lower east side.
But it is colder there.
the city has become a whore for commercial chain resturants and walmarts . the city administration seems to glamorize more chains moving in resulting in making so hard for a small buisness to survive , yuma has more walmarts ina small area than most cities do in severalcounties also too many starbucks , taxes are high sales tax is through the roof and they want more when i first moved here we had 2 jack in the boxes now there are almost a dozen lets not forget arizonas ever growing minimum wage which the brainless citizens voted it with annual cost of living increase which means perpetual inflation every year , not a good place for people on fixed incomes. arizona and of course yuma used to be a great place to live not anymore traffic in yuma is now horrendous never was before i could never understand when there is such a good thing going the establishment always has to bigger and more resulting in major problems also aps arizona public service is planning a rate increase by 30 per cent in december real nice place for retirees and fixed income people, give me the yuma and arizona of 35 years ago ! this place and state are beginning to suck wish i was younger id move on !
Yuma is not a good place anymore to live, too expensive , too crowded , ever increasing crime too many big corporate chains rapeing the city , the small town atmosphere is gone along with the out west feeling not a good place to retire anywhere in az ,minimum wage increases every year now resulting in higher prices, buisness are being compelled to raise their prices , dont move here or arizona much too expensive!