Elevation
Payson elevation and altitude
Payson, Arizona is 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 4,921 feet means in Payson
Among the 689 cities on this site, Payson is higher than most. At 4,921 ft the air holds noticeably less oxygen per breath than at the coast. Most people adapt within a few days; exercise feels harder at first.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Payson a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 24.97 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 203 °F (94.9 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Payson
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona, AZ | 4,350 | 1,326 | 51 mi |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 1,257 | 383 | 60 mi |
| Mesa, AZ | 1,240 | 378 | 63 mi |
| Tempe, AZ | 1,181 | 360 | 66 mi |
| Gilbert, AZ | 1,237 | 377 | 66 mi |
| Prescott, AZ | 5,374 | 1,638 | 69 mi |
| Glendale, AZ | 1,152 | 351 | 69 mi |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,086 | 331 | 69 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Payson?
Payson, Arizona is about 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Payson because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 4,921 ft is about 24.97 inHg (846 hPa), 83% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 83% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Payson?
About 203 °F (94.9 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.