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As part of the Sonoran Desert, Yuma is known for its clear skies and sunny heat. If you’re considering buying a piece of Yuma real estate, keep reading to learn all about this city through our Yuma, AZ, relocation guide.
Basic Facts About Relocating to Yuma
Where is Yuma, AZ, Located?
Yuma is the southwest corner of Arizona, along the Colorado River and close to the borders of California and Mexico.
What is the Population of Yuma, Arizona?
Yuma, AZ, has over 96K people. It’s also the county seat for Yuma County which has a total population of about 212K.
What is the Weather Like in Yuma, Arizona?
Yuma has one of the most extreme climates in the United States and is located in a hot desert climate. Yuma has the hottest average temperature and is also the sunniest city in the U.S. Yuma experiences the lowest frequency of precipitation a year, also making it the driest city in the U.S. If you move to Yuma, you’ll experience very hot summers with an average high temperature reaching 106.7°F in July, though it’s not surprising if the temperature gets over 120°F. Winters are warm with average low temperatures dipping to 47.9°F in January.
Yuma is also known as the sunniest place on earth with the most recorded mean sunshine hours and the sun shining for about 90% of the daylight hours. Yuma receives just over 3 inches of rainfall each year.
What is the Character of Yuma, Arizona Like?
Yuma is the epitome of a southwestern desert town and attracts retirees, military personnel, and those who have family in Mexico. The city is also clean, and the downtown area boasts an adobe and old western look.
Homes For Sale in Yuma
Yuma, Arizona Real Estate Market
Though a good chunk of the Yuma real estate market was constructed pre-1970, most of its housing has continued to develop since then. Nearly all of the homes for sale in Yuma are single-family homes with two to three bedrooms, but there are several one and two-story condos for sale in Yuma too. A lot of Yuma real estate showcases traditional southwestern styles with stucco exteriors and red tile roofs.
If you’re relocating to Yuma, you’ll need to know the city is in a seller’s market with homes listed about 52 days before they go under contract. The median home price in Yuma is roughly $315K. Single-family homes range from $112k to over $1.2M. Condos for sale in Yuma start around $150K and go up to $340K.
Yuma, Arizona Suburbs
Fortuna Foothills – located in Yuma County, Fortuna Foothills is a highly sought-after place to live for families and retirees for its relaxed atmosphere and excellent schools. It’s often compared to Palm Springs but with price tags that are easier on the pocketbook. Many people also like the convenience of only being about 15 minutes from the Yuma city center.
Somerton – Many families love living in Somerton and often say it’s the best place to live in Yuma for its many parks and calm neighborhoods. Somerton also has great schools and a lower crime rate compared to other parts of Yuma. Access to quality medical care is also abundant here as there are several hospitals and clinics here. If you move to Somerton, you’ll also get to experience several events like pet-palooza, tamale festival, and the corn fest.
Cost of Living in Yuma
Despite Arizona’s overall cost of living being 2.2% over the national average, Yuma’s overall cost of living is actually 11.8% lower than the U.S. average, making it 14% less than the state average. After you relocate to Yuma, you’ll likely pay notably more for healthcare than anywhere else in Arizona, but you’ll probably pay significantly less for housing and transportation and about the same for groceries and utilities. The median household income in Yuma, AZ, is $48,790.
Education in Yuma
Schools in Yuma
The school system in Yuma is set up differently than most others in the U.S. If you have school-age children attending public schools after you move to Yuma, they’ll attend Yuma Union High School District, which has a total of five high schools. Before then, Students will attend elementary (feeder) school districts: District One and Crane District, both containing several elementary and junior high schools.
Colleges and Universities in Yuma
Yuma isn’t exactly a big college town, though there is a community college here and some bigger universities have branches located in this city.
- Arizona Western College – Community College
- Northern Arizona University- Yuma branch
- Arizona State University – Yuma branch
- University of Arizona – Yuma branch
Jobs in Yuma
Yuma’s unemployment rate varies from around 11.9% to 17.2% depending on what time of year it is. Regardless, Yuma’s unemployment rate is almost always higher than the national average. This is because a large number of residents in Yuma are farmers and typically only work during certain times of the year. In fact, Yuma, AZ, is known as the Winter Lettuce Capital of the World. Outside of farming most of the workforce is fueled primarily by healthcare and government jobs. The largest employers in Yuma include:
- Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
- Yuma school districts
- U.S. Army – Yuma Proving Ground
- Yuma Regional Medical Center
- Local city and county governments
- United State Border Patrol
- Arizona Western College
Medical Access in Yuma
Yuma has one main hospital: Yuma Medical Center, which has a level IV trauma unit. Nearly all of the level I trauma centers in Arizona are located in and around the Phoenix metropolitan area, which is 185 miles or about 3 hours away from Yuma.
Yuma Entertainment and Recreation
Arts and Culture Events in Yuma
If you’re considering relocating to Yuma, but you looked on the map and feel like there’s probably not much to do here, then you’ll be surprised to know that the city places great importance on community events. Whether it’s the Marine Corps Air Station performing their annual air show, the rodeo being in town, or the annual Yuma County Fair, there’s always something going on. In fact, the city of Yuma usually has several events on the calendar each month. Some other things you can experience in Yuma are:
- YumaCon
- Tacos and Tunes
- Spikeball Tournaments
- Yuma Medjool Date Festival
Shopping and Dining in Yuma
After you move to Yuma, you’ll be happy to know you can do all your shopping primarily in one central location. Though there’s a few small shopping centers around Yuma, you’ll find most of the shopping and dining establishments are near the intersection of I-8 and Hwy 95. Some of the most popular shopping centers around Yuma are:
- Yuma Palms Regional Center
- Big Curve Shopping Center
- Yuma Mesa Shopping Center
Parks in Yuma, Arizona
There are several parks in Yuma, especially on the north west side of the city near the Colorado River. Once you make your move to Yuma you’ll probably discover your favorites, but here are some of the most popular parks people enjoy:
- West Wetlands Park – A riverfront park spanning a long stretch of the Colorado River. Here you’ll find a big playground, a sports field, a pond, and trails.
- Gateway Park – A beach-style park along the Colorado River with fishing docks, a playground, and picnic area.
- Ray Smucker Park – A grassy park with trees that offers a huge playground, fitness equipment, trails, and picnic areas.
Transportation in Yuma
Yuma’s road infrastructure is set up in a straight-forward grid system. There are also a couple major thoroughfares that run through the city, making it easy for those relocating to Yuma. Hwy 95 runs primarily east and west through Yuma and Route 195 runs north and south, spanning the eastern half of the city. I-8 runs east and west just outside of Yuma proper, which people can travel on to connect to Phoenix or Tucson.
Yuma County is also served by the Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT) that provides transportation through several routes throughout the city.
Yuma, AZ, Relocation Guide: Conclusion
We hope this Yuma, AZ, relocation guide has been helpful in learning about this city. Before you move to Yuma, be sure to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find a home. Don’t hesitate to have a list of questions for your real estate agent when you first meet.
