Gadsden is a small town of 781 in Arizona, with a median household income of $39,601
and a 7.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Gadsden stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Gadsden is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Gadsden city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 86.6
Gadsden's overall cost of living index is 86.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Gadsden costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Gadsden, AZ
National Avg
Median Home Value
$163,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$475
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
38.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$39,601
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Gadsden's violent crime rate is 313.4 per 100,000 residents
— 18% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
313.4 /100k
Property Crime
1125.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Gadsden is served primarily by Gadsden Elementary District (4505).
The student-to-teacher ratio is 27.6:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Gadsden, AZ
National Avg
School District
Gadsden Elementary District (4505)
—
Elementary Schools
7
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
27.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
42.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Gadsden sees average highs of 69.8°F in January
and 106.7°F in July,
with 3.3 inches of annual precipitation
.
Gadsden's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Gadsden roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $163,700 and median rent is $475/month.
Gadsden's violent crime rate is 313.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1125.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Gadsden are operated by Gadsden Elementary District (4505).
The district has 7 elementary, 2 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 27.6:1. 16.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Gadsden, AZ has a population of 781, a median household income of $39,601, and an unemployment rate of 7.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Gadsden averages 69.8°F in January and 106.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 3.3 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Gadsden, Arizona is 781 with a median age of 24.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Gadsden: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $163,700, median household income $39,601, crime index 71 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Gadsden side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
