Nogales is a small city of 19,761 in Arizona, with a median household income of $36,682
and a 13.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Nogales stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Nogales is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Nogales 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: 89.2
Nogales's overall cost of living index is 89.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Nogales costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Nogales, AZ
National Avg
Median Home Value
$163,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$652
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
47.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$36,682
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Nogales's violent crime rate is 228.6 per 100,000 residents
— 40% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
228.6 /100k
Property Crime
3601.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Nogales is served primarily by Nogales Unified District (4457).
The student-to-teacher ratio is 20.9:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Nogales, AZ
National Avg
School District
Nogales Unified District (4457)
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
17.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
68.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Nogales sees average highs of 65.8°F in January
and 94.1°F in July,
with 14.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Nogales's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Nogales roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $163,100 and median rent is $652/month.
Nogales's violent crime rate is 228.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3601.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Nogales are operated by Nogales Unified District (4457).
The district has 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 20.9:1. 17.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Nogales, AZ has a population of 19,761, a median household income of $36,682, and an unemployment rate of 13.1%.
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.
Nogales averages 65.8°F in January and 94.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 14.6 inches
with about 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Nogales, AZ is covered by 1 ZIP code: 85621.
The population of Nogales, Arizona is 19,761 with a median age of 36.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Nogales: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $163,100, median household income $36,682, crime index 105 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Nogales side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
