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Tucson, AZ Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Tucson, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Salary needed to live in Tucson →

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Population in Tucson, Arizona runs approximately 541,033. Median household income sits at $52,049, landing below the benchmark median we track across cities (-28%).

For renters and buyers alike, Tucson offers a median home value of $218,200 (below the tracked median, -33%) and median rent of $991 monthly. Local property taxes and current mortgage rates will shape the real cost of buying.

Home prices in Tucson run about 4.2× median household income — a middle-of-the-road ratio, neither a bargain nor a stretch by our tracked standards. Year-over-year, home values around Tucson are up 1.11%, a pace in line with a healthy, unremarkable market. FEMA classifies Tucson's hazard risk as Relatively High. That elevated rating is a major driver of home insurance premiums in the area.

Personal Affordability Check

Cost of housing in Tucson

Median home value is $218,200 and median gross rent is $991/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for Pima rose 1.11% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,402/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Tucson's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Tucson reported a violent crime rate of 390.7 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to Tucson

Planning a move to Tucson? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Tucson, AZ?

In Tucson, the median home value is $218,200 and median rent is $991 per month, against a median household income of $52,049. These figures come from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tucson?

Tucson's median rent of $991/month works out to roughly $39,640 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Tucson.

Is it better to rent or buy in Tucson?

Renting in Tucson at the median $991/month calls for about $39,640 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $218,200 takes roughly $49,923 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.

Is Tucson safe?

Tucson's violent crime rate, per FBI reporting for 2025, stands at 390.7 per 100,000 residents.

See the full salary breakdown for Tucson →

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Tucson's.