Payson, AZ is an unincorporated town in Gila County, Arizona. It is located in the Tonto National Forest and has a population of 15,301 as of 2019. The city is known for its active outdoor lifestyle and mild four-season climate, making it a popular tourist destination. It was ranked #3 in the state in the 2020 BestPlaces Rankings for BestPlaces Score and #7 for Cost of Living Index. Its BestPlaces score reflects high scores for amenities, crime rate, education, housing affordability, and weather. The Cost of Living Index takes into account grocery prices, housing costs, health care costs, utilities costs and transportation costs. Payson is also a popular retirement destination due to its low taxes and cost of living compared to other parts of the United States. With its beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking trails and lakes nearby, it's no wonder that Payson has consistently ranked highly on the BestPlaces rankings year after year.
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