Living in Payson, Arizona
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Payson · Census data 2020–2024
Payson has 16,622 residents with a median age of 60.9. The median household income is $67,710 (15% lower than the Arizona median), the median home value is $382,400, the median rent is $1,345/month.
Payson at a glance
- Population
- 16,622
- Median age
- 60.9State: 39
- Median household income
- $67,710State: $79,964
- Median home value
- $382,400State: $394,500
- Median rent
- $1,345/moState: $1,543
- Homeowners
- 75.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.5%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Payson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 3% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 11%.
Cons: Median household income 15% lower than the Arizona median; unemployment of 7.1%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Payson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Payson the median home value is $382,400, 15% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,345 per month, which is 28.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,680 a month in housing costs.
Payson median household income
The median household income in Payson is $67,710 and the income per person is $42,466. 11% of residents live below the poverty line (Arizona: 12.5%).
Housing in Payson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,249
- Owner-occupied
- 75.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 24.3%
- Vacant
- 19.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1993
- Average household size
- 1.99
Payson demographics
- Population
- 16,622
- Median age
- 60.9
- Under 18
- 15.4%
- 65 and older
- 39.7%
- Households
- 8,224
- Foreign-born
- 5%
- Veterans
- 14.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Payson ›
Education in Payson
24.5% of adults 25 and older in Payson have a bachelor's degree or higher (Arizona: 33.3%), and 9.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Payson
- Unemployment rate
- 7.1%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 13.9%
- Drive alone
- 66.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.7%
Payson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payson | 16,622 | $67,710 | $382,400 | $1,345 |
| Mesa del Caballo | 944 | $57,475 | $255,400 | $1,198 |
| East Verde Estates | 275 | $135,662 | $461,400 | — |
| Star Valley | 2,525 | $65,426 | $176,400 | — |
| Whispering Pines | 151 | $72,986 | $400,000 | — |
| Gisela | 587 | $19,572 | $186,100 | — |
| Tonto Village | 123 | $122,604 | $336,100 | — |
| Deer Creek | 242 | $39,883 | $376,100 | — |
More for people moving to Payson
Payson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Payson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Payson, AZ?
The median household income in Payson is $67,710, 15% lower than the Arizona median of $79,964 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Payson?
The median home value in Payson is $382,400, compared with $394,500 in Arizona.
How much is rent in Payson?
The median gross rent in Payson is $1,345 per month, about 28.8% of household income.
Is Payson, AZ a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 3% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 11%. Minuses: median household income 15% lower than the Arizona median; unemployment of 7.1%.
What is the median age in Payson?
The median age in Payson is 60.9 years (Arizona: 39).
How long is the commute in Payson?
The average commute to work in Payson is 19 minutes; 13.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Payson?
The unemployment rate in Payson is 7.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Payson?
24.5% of adults in Payson have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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