What it's like to live in Prescott
Prescott is a small city in Arizona with commutes that run shorter than most cities, a highly educated workforce, a growing population, and several well-rated hospitals. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Prescott deals with home prices well above the national average, crime rates above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Growing population
- Several well-rated hospitals
The not so good
- High home prices
- Crime above national average
- Air quality concerns
- High student-teacher ratio
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Prescott compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Prescott
Based on Prescott's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,790
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $55,800 a year
- 49% of Prescott renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$112,820
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $56,410
- Homes cost 8.0× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,395/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,395 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices are steep, with a median around $564,100. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $564,100 · 49% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.6% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.6%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 29% above US
426 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 1224/100k · Prescott Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 27% below US
19 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 88°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 25°F and snow a regular occurrence. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
4 hospitals
There are 4 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.5 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 11% above US
40% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 40% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
20 public schools inside the boundary
There are 20 public schools inside the boundary and 6 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Tuzigoot National Monument (27 miles away). There are 7 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Prescott's strongest points are commutes that run shorter than most cities and a highly educated workforce; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,395/mo) equals 24% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people who want short commutes.
Other places near Prescott
All Arizona guides →Moving to Prescott Valley →
7 mi away · pop. 49,179
Rent $1,580/mo · Income $74,569
Compare with Prescott →Moving to Chino Valley →
12 mi away · pop. 13,602
Rent $1,248/mo · Income $61,237
Compare with Prescott →Moving to Verde Village →
27 mi away · pop. 11,930
Rent $1,173/mo · Income $69,331
Compare with Prescott →Moving to Cottonwood →
28 mi away · pop. 12,580
Rent $1,120/mo · Income $48,448
Compare with Prescott →Not sure Prescott is the one?
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