What it's like to live in Show Low
Show Low is a small city in Arizona with rent below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, air quality that stays clean most of the year, and a growing population. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Show Low deals with county unemployment above the national average, household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Growing population
The not so good
- Above-average unemployment in the county
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- High student-teacher ratio
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Show Low compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Show Low
Based on Show Low's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,220
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $44,400 a year
- 43% of Show Low renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$59,920
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $29,960
- Homes cost 5.0× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 21% below US
$1,110/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,110 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $299,600. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $299,600 · 43% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
6.4% county unemployment
Unemployment in Navajo County is 6.4%, well above the national average of 4.3%. Moving with a job already lined up matters more here. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Navajo County (county-wide)
Safety▲ 53% above US
503 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 2700/100k · Show Low Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 27% below US
19 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.1 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 8% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 84°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
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforceNear US average
35% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 35% 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
10 public schools inside the boundary
There are 10 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 20:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Petrified Forest National Park (52 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Show Low's strongest points are rent below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are county unemployment above the national average and household incomes below the national average. A year of median rent ($1,110/mo) equals 22% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone moving without a job lined up.
Other places near Show Low
All Arizona guides →Moving to Gold Canyon →
103 mi away · pop. 13,107
Rent $1,542/mo · Income $93,377
Compare with Show Low →Moving to Apache Junction →
105 mi away · pop. 41,058
Rent $1,146/mo · Income $60,975
Compare with Show Low →Not sure Show Low is the one?
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