Safford, AZ

Arizona

Safford is a small city in Arizona with a population of 10,217. Residents earn $65,727 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
10,217 Population 1,101/sq mi density
$65,727 Median Income $27,982 per capita
$191,600 Home Value $277,261 Zillow
$976 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$65,727 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$191,600 home value, $976/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,727
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $191,600
32% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.3%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $976
16% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

How Safford Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population10,217
Median Age31.3 yrs
Density1,101/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 69%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,727
Per Capita$27,982
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$2,015M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$191,600
Rent$976
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$277,261

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.5%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI45 (Good)
Rain8.8 in/yr
Elevation2,918 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.3%
High School+87.7%
School Score4.62

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute25 min
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Is Safford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Safford receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Safford offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Safford is $65,727, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Safford is $191,600, 32% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $976 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Safford enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 8.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Safford has a population of 10,217 with a density of 1,101 people per square mile. The median age is 31.3 years, 20% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.3%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

10,217
Total Population
1,101
People / sq mi
31.3yrs
Median Age
20% below US avg
9.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Safford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only81.8%
4% above US avg
Spanish18.2%
36% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Safford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Safford is $65,727, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Safford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,727
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,982
Avg Weekly Wage$1,100
IRS Avg AGI$63,621

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)624
County GDP$2,015M

Business (County)

Restaurants69
Healthcare86
Retail94
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,214
37% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.7 min
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Safford is $191,600, 32% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $976 (16% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $277,261.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$191,600
32% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$277,261
Median List Price$349,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$349,900
$/Sq Ft$217
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio99.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$976
16% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,053
1 Bedroom$1,151
2 Bedrooms$1,419
3 Bedrooms$1,889
4 Bedrooms$2,158

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,214
37% below US avg
Effective Rate1.16%
In Safford, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.5% report depression. 25.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Safford vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity25.1%
Depression20.5%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate70.8%
Premature Death11,353/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access67.5%
Healthcare Facilities86

Crime Rates: Safford vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safford has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 8.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average65.1°F
21% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall8.8 inches
77% below US avg
Snowfall0.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,918 ft (889 m)
Area9.3 sq mi (24.0 km²)
Population Density1,101/sq mi
Coordinates32.8333°N, 109.6974°W
County FIPS04009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.6%
D 25.5%

Winner: Republican by 48.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.3%
43% below US avg
High School+87.7%
School Test Score4.62
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,101/sq mi
Total Area9.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities86
Restaurants69
Retail Stores94

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.7 min
Work from Home3.8%

Nearby Cities

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