At a Glance
Median Income
$65,175
$39,610 per capita
Home Value
$343,200
Zillow: $444,603
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
31.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
285/100K
1,324/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
26.5%
92.5% high school+
Unemployment
7.8%
4.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
29.7%
14.1% smoking rate
How Payson Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Payson's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Payson a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Payson residents earn a median household income of $65,175 , which is 13% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $39,610. The unemployment rate stands at 7.8% (117% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,138 business establishments, including 138 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Payson is $343,200 , 22% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $444,603. Median rent is $1,355/month, with 31.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1992.
Safety & Crime
Payson reports 285 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 25% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,324/100K.
Education
26.5% of adults in Payson hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(21% below the national average).
92.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 3.8/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Payson has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C).
Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 50.
Data Overview
People
Population16,494
Median Age58.9 yrs
Density852/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born3.9%
Veterans13.5%
Economy
B
Median Income$65,175
Per Capita$39,610
Unemployment7.8%
Poverty4.3%
County GDP$2,397M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,090
Housing
B+
Home Value$343,200
Rent$1,355
Ownership77.2%
Zillow$444,603
Housing Units9,728
Rent Burden31.1%
Crime
F
Violent285/100K
Property1,324/100K
Health
Obesity29.7%
Diabetes8.8%
Smoking14.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
Premature Death19,407/100K
Climate
Avg Temp57°F
Rain19.8 in/yr
AQI50 (Good)
Elevation4,998 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+26.5%
High School+92.5%
Graduate+9.7%
School Score3.8/10
Community
2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute18 min
Broadband85.9%
Internet Speed62 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries9
Did You Know?
Payson was founded in 1973.
The median home in Payson was built in 1992.
The nearest airport is Winslow-Lindbergh Regional (64 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.439 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
17.9% of the population has a disability.
There are 138 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 22 fatal vehicle crashes.
273 declared natural disasters on record.