Tucson, Arizona
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Tucson.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Tucson?
Tucson, AZ has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 80 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $242,200 and median rent about $1,079, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $54,546. Typical commute is 23 minutes; summer highs average 100°F. Violent-offense rates run about 688.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 80U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $242,200U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,079U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $54,546U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.6%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 688.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 100°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Tucson compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 554,013City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $54,546Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year31% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 80ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $242,200City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,079City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.6%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 43Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 688.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)17% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3272annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)6% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 100°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 42°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 10.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals68% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 318As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Tucson grew 5.1% from 527,160 in 2010 to 554,013 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Tucson expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Tucson runs 20 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 80 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $242,200 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,079 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Tucson?
Budget first around $1,079/month rent or $242,200 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $242,200
- Median rent $1,079/month
- Median household income $54,546
What is the job market like in Tucson?
Labor-market context for Tucson: unemployment 5.6% and median income $54,546. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.6% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $54,546
How long is the typical commute in Tucson?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Tucson. Walk Score estimates around 43 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 43/100
Is Tucson safer than similar U.S. cities?
Tucson's FBI-derived violent rate (~688.4/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 688.4 per 100k
- Property 3272 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Tucson?
Tucson's climate profile: 100°F summer peaks, 42°F winter mornings, 10.6" annual rainfall, and 318 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 100°F
- Winter low 42°F
- 10.6 in rain · 318 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Tucson, Arizona will find roughly 554,013 residents within city limits. Median household income is roughly $54,546, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 80 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Budget for median rents around $1,079 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Tucson sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Tucson with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Desert heat and monsoon bursts define the outdoor calendar. Summer highs near 100°F make shade, pools, and strong A/C practical necessities. Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 43. Unemployment near 5.6% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. Violent-offense rates near 688.4 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Tucson city, 1600000US0477000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Pima County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023160 TUCSON INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10