Cost of Living in Tucson, AZ 2023

Moving to Tucson offers mountain range views in every direction, including the Santa Catalina Mountains, Tortolita Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, Rincon Mountains, and the Tucson Mountains. With big-city amenities and a small-town feel, Tucson is celebrated for its growing food scene, start-up-friendly atmosphere, and year-round sunshine. Tucson's cost of living is reasonable and easy to enjoy with an average income, making it easy to see why it's among the best places to live in Arizona!

Tucson's job market is growing with economic development primarily tied to the development and growth of the University of Arizona, which is also the city's largest employer. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, US Army Intelligence Center, government contractors, and new start-ups also provide jobs to locals looking for new opportunities. Like the rest of Arizona, Tucson is a snowbird destination and attracts tourists year-round, fueling over $2 billion a year to the local economy.

If you want to live in a growing city with a small-town feel, Tucson may be a perfect option for you. The Old Pueblo is growing at 0.58% annually, bringing more vibrancy to the area without overwhelming the city. Tucson's cost of living index is still far less expensive than Los Angeles or Boulder. We broke everything down for you to determine if moving to Tucson is right for you based on its cost of living and your long-term financial goals.

Tucson Housing Costs

In any city, housing costs and rent will likely be your most significant expenses. However, you may find the cost of living in Tucson is so much lower than your current city that the expense to relocate is well worth it. According to our Apartment List Renter Migration Report, people are moving from Phoenix and out of state from Los Angeles and Las Vegas. All three cities are significantly more expensive than Tucson. When locals leave Tucson, they're moving to Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

The city is home to the popular University of Arizona, and attractions like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Tucson isn't home to significant sports franchises but has solid minor league and recreational clubs, including the Tucson Roadrunners ice-hockey team and the indoor Tucson Sugar Skulls football team.

Although Tucson is seeing more growth and development, the city's rent is still reasonable. Tucson rents are up by 4.4% in comparison to the same time last year. Currently, the average rent in Tucson is $988 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,299 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Before starting your apartment hunt in Tucson and looking for a move-in special or a great deal, you need to determine how much rent you can afford..

Tucson Transportation

Downtown Tucson boasts a nightlife scene with food, craft brews, live music, and other entertainment options. Locals gather in areas off of E Congress Street to find pubs and venues for an evening of fun. To plan their transportation budget and make the most of the city, single adults should expect to spend $5,316 on transportation annually. If you are a family of two full-time employed adults and a child, you should expect to pay $14,058 a year to get around and enjoy the city.

Tucson residents primarily rely on cars to get around, although you could get by with ride shares and public transportation. However, you'll need to choose a neighborhood with convenient access to amenities and work. Tucson's Sun Tran system offers streetcar service, express buses, and shuttles. Sun GO cars are affordable, although the city suspended fares and made them free during the pandemic indefinitely. Regular cash fares are normally $1.75 per ride or $1.50 with a SunGO Card.

Tucson Food Costs

According to the MIT estimates, a single full-time employed adult that cooks their meals (including snacks) spends approximately $3,999 per year on food in Tucson. The city's food scene is growing and earned a UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation, where dishes are more than just delicious; they honor Mexican and Native American traditions blended with gastronomic ingenuity. Tucson locals should expect to pay $15 on a meal at an inexpensive restaurant without appetizers and alcohol. Having a three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant will cost you $60 on average.

Keep in mind that dining out in Tucson costs around 25% less than in Phoenix. When you move from The Valley of the Sun, you get the best affordability, food, and fun with fantastic weather.

Tucson Healthcare Costs

Healthcare is always a significant cost, no matter where you move. MIT combines data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to determine the typical health expenditure for a single full-time working adult in Tucson is $3,125 per year. For a family of two adults and two children, your cost rises to $13,802 per year.

Tucson Utilities

Tucson's heat isn't as intense as the majority of Arizona, including Phoenix, and a basic utility bill, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for a 915 sq ft apartment, averages $276.32 a month, which is higher than other parts of the country, like Los Angeles. Of course, there's more to budget for than the average utility bill/Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) will increase the total monthly cost of utilities by approximately $84.24, totaling $360.56 a month.

Fitness and Entertainment

Fitness enthusiasts should plan to shell out another $32.22 on monthly gym membership fees. However, you can save on the gym by looking for an apartment complex with an on-site fitness center. If you love seeing the latest blockbusters and other flicks, it will cost you about $11.25 per ticket, excluding popcorn and snacks.

Other Expenses to Consider in Tucson

Like the rest of the Grand Canyon State, Tucson boasts a low-income tax rate of 2.59%, 3.34%, 4.17%, and 4.50%, depending on how much you earn and your filing status. Property taxes are also 0.62%, which is well below the 1.07% national average. Retirees who want to become permanent snowbirds enjoy tax-free social security income. The state's sales tax is higher than average at a combined 8.4%, which is also the 11th-highest in the United States.

What Salary Do I Need to Live in Tucson?

Study up on the latest rent prices to figure out a recommended salary and what you can afford. When you use the 30% rule to rent an apartment, you can get a rough estimate of the salary needed to live comfortably within Tucson's cost of living. Looking around in less popular Tucson neighborhoods or finding a roommate will also dramatically reduce your living expenses.

• If you are renting an average-priced one-bedroom apartment in Tucson that costs $988, your annual salary should be around $39,520 or higher.
• If you are renting an average-priced two-bedroom apartment in Tucson, your annual salary should be around $51,960 or higher.

Still not sure how much rent you can truly afford? Try using a rent calculator.

Even with a good idea of the cost of living in Tucson and what you should earn, remember that your annual salary may not reflect the "living wage" or the minimum amount of money needed to live above the poverty threshold. For example, the minimum wage is $13.85 per hour in Tucson, but the city's living wage is higher at $15.89 per hour.

Those numbers don't allow for dining, nightlife, travel expenses, emergency funds, or other savings. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated median household income in Tucson at the end of 2021 was around $48,058 a year, or about $23.10 an hour. That's good news if you want to live reasonably well and enjoy Tucson's cost of living. The salary index in Tucson is a little different and estimated to be $18.43 an hour or $69,000 a year.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have financial stats and info on the cost of living in Tucson, you can start apartment hunting for your perfect place. Start your Tucson apartment search today with this quiz! If living in the heart of the city is a little too pricey for you, or you want to save more, check out our round-up of cheap apartments in Tucson.

FAQs: Cost of Living in Tucson

How expensive is an apartment in Tucson?

Tucson offers an affordable cost of living compared to other metropolitan cities. A one bedroom apartment in Tucson costs $988. A two-bedroom apartment in Tucson costs $1,299.

What is the cheapest rent in Tucson?

The cheapest rent in Tucson is currently a one-bedroom apartment. Your rent will run around $988.

How expensive is it to live in Tucson?

A one-bedroom apartment in Tucson costs $988. You’ll spend about $4,686 per year on food in Tucson, $15 on a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, and $60 for a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant. You'll need a car to get around Tucson and will spend around $5,316 annually. That figure increases to $14,058 for two working adults and a child.

How far is Tucson from Phoenix?

Tucson is 113.2 miles to Phoenix via I-10 E. It takes one hour and forty-four minutes to get from Tucson to Phoenix.Greyhound service is also available between Tucson and Phoenix and takes about two hours to travel.

How far is Tucson from Sedona?

Tucson is 228.6 miles from Sedona via I-17S and I-10E. It takes about three hours and thirty minutes to travel from Tucson to Sedona. Amtrak bus service is also available and takes at least nine hours to travel between Tucson and Sedona.

What is the population of Tucson?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, at the end of 2021, the population of Tucson was 5243,242. The entire state of Arizona has a population of 7,359,197.

Is Tucson cheaper than Phoenix?

Yes, Tucson is cheaper than Phoenix. A one-bedroom apartment costs $988 and a two-bedroom apartment costs $1,299 in Tucson. A one-bedroom apartment costs $1,190, and a two-bedroom apartment costs $1,439 in Phoenix.

What is a good salary in Tucson?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median cost of living in Tucson is $48,058, which is about $23.10 an hour. The minimum wage in Tucson is $13.85. However, this figure is different from the living wage of $15.89. Fortunately, the cost of living in Tucson is relatively low. You should earn around $39,520 a year, or about $19 an hour, to comfortably afford a one-bedroom apartment in Tucson that costs $988.