How high is Prescott?

Prescott sits at 5,384 ft (1,641 m) above sea level, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data. That sits above Arizona’s average of 4,216 ft (1,285 m) — a relatively high spot, with only about 35% of the state higher.

Interactive 3D elevation map of the Prescott, Arizona area, from the Copernicus GLO-30 model

A live 3D slice of the terrain around Prescott, from our satellite elevation model. Prescott is marked at 5,384 ft (1,641 m); the highest ground in view reaches 7,946 ft (2,422 m). Drag to spin it (tap to start on mobile).

Prescott in Arizona

Here’s the useful context: Prescott, at 5,384 ft (1,641 m), sits roughly 1,168 ft (356 m) above Arizona’s average elevation of 4,216 ft (1,285 m). It is one of the higher places in its state — our model puts only about 35% of Arizona’s land higher.

79 ft — Arizona low▲ Prescott 5,384 ft · avg 4,216 ft ┈12,612 ft — Arizona high

The terrain around Prescott

The ground right around Prescott is fairly even, close to 5,384 ft (1,641 m), so the city itself feels level underfoot. But the window still catches higher country: the terrain climbs to 7,946 ft (2,422 m) toward the west edge of the view, which is what gives Prescott its mountain backdrop.

You can read the whole story in the map above — the flatter ground where the city sits, and the way the land gathers into peaks nearby. It’s the difference between where you stand and what you can see from it.

What Prescott’s altitude means

High-altitude medicine marks about ~8,000 ft (2,400 m) as the line where thin air starts to cause real trouble, and Prescott, at 5,384 ft (1,641 m), sits comfortably below it. You won’t get altitude sickness just by arriving. But this is high enough that many people notice something on the first day.

The air is meaningfully thinner than at the coast, so expect a quicker pulse, a little breathlessness on stairs, and faster dehydration in dry air — and alcohol tends to hit harder. None of it is dangerous at this elevation; it just rewards drinking more water and taking the first evening easy.

How Prescott compares

Among Arizona’s larger cities, Prescott is ranked #2 of 11 by elevation. For a familiar yardstick, that puts it right around Denver’s mile-high 5,280 ft (1,609 m).

Flagstaff — 6,903 ft (2,104 m)
Prescott — 5,384 ft (1,641 m)
Prescott Valley — 5,013 ft (1,528 m)
Sierra Vista — 4,639 ft (1,414 m)
Agua Prieta — 4,012 ft (1,223 m)
Tucson — 2,484 ft (757 m)
San Tan Valley — 1,519 ft (463 m)

Prescott elevation FAQ

How high is Prescott?: Prescott’s elevation is about 5,384 ft (1,641 m) above sea level at the city center, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data.
Is Prescott high or low for Arizona?: High. At 5,384 ft (1,641 m) it sits above Arizona’s average of 4,216 ft (1,285 m), with only about 35% of the state higher.
Does Prescott’s altitude affect visitors?: Mildly. At 5,384 ft (1,641 m) it’s below the ~8,000 ft (2,400 m) line where altitude sickness usually begins, but the thinner, drier air can still bring a faster pulse and quicker dehydration on the first day.

Explore more

↑ Arizona’s full elevation map — the whole state in interactive 3D, with its high and low points and average elevation.
· Blog: Average Elevation by State — where Arizona’s 4,216 ft (1,285 m) mean ranks.
· Blog: Elevation vs Altitude — what a city’s elevation figure actually measures.

Prescott’s elevation is a native ~30 m windowed-median sample from Copernicus GLO-30 (ESA); the Arizona figures are computed across the state from the same model. The 3D view is a fine windowed sample at roughly 203 m resolution, sharp enough to resolve the surrounding ridgelines. Data as of 2026-08-17.