Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Cottonwood, Arizona is a mid-sized city with a population of 12,640 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Cottonwood is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and American Indian and Alaskan. The Cottonwood population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 51, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. Cottonwood is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 48%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Cottonwood offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cottonwood could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Arizona if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Cottonwood and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, health & safety, education and other important metrics.
Cottonwood, AZ receives 77 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #10 in Arizona and #2,537 in the USA. Based on this score, Cottonwood would be considered a very livable city! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Cottonwood ranks very well for cost of living (A-) and housing (A-). The bad news for Cottonwood, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and employment (D).
When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Cottonwood, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 1.9% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Cottonwood has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Cottonwood meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Cottonwood. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Cottonwood are simply unattainable. The median home price for Cottonwood homes is $360,798, which is 15.8% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cottonwood, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.5, which is 58.5% higher than the Arizona average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Cottonwood | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.0% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.8% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.2% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.9% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.4% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.3% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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