Living in Tucson, AZ
Tucson is the 34th-largest city in the US, home to about 548,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (96.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 548,371+1.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $266,2004.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,145/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $57,073median, per year
- Price level
- 96.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 67° / 100°lows 41° / 76°
- Average commute
- 22 min14% work from home
- State income tax
- 2.5%top rate, flat
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County: Pima County
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7, no daylight saving)
Elevation: about 2,490 ft
Metro area: Tucson, AZ
Cost of living in Tucson
The median home in Tucson is worth $266,200 and the median household earns $57,073 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,145 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Tucson, AZ metro area at 96.9, with housing at 91.8 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $72,700 here. Arizona taxes wages at a top rate of 2.5% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Arizona is 8.54%.
What would my salary be worth in Tucson?
Tucson weather
Average highs run from 66°F in January to 100°F in July, and January nights average 41°F. It gets 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 158 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to April and November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Tucson
People and work
The median resident is 34.6 years old, and 31% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 52% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 22 minutes; 14% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.6158th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 31%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 52%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,264242.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%3% walk, 1.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 18.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1979median year
Who moves to Tucson, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Cochise County, AZ, Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and San Diego (San Diego County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Cochise County, AZ, San Diego (San Diego County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Pima County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, heat wave, lightning, wildfire.
Home prices
+1.9% in a year
Up 40% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Tucson, AZ area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
34% good days
8 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Tucson, AZ area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Tucson
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Arizona 2 miles
- Pima Medical Institute-Tucson 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Tucson
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson International Airport TUS | 7 mi | 1,959,789 |
| Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport AZA | 86 mi | 978,296 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Tucson
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | 2 mi | 42,537 | $17,125 | 71% |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson | 3 mi | 2,567 | n/a | n/a |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Tucson
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 5, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 26 and the first frost comes around December 9.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Tucson Intl. Airport, AZ, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Tucson.
Wildfire smoke in Tucson
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Tucson on about 39 days a year, including about 5 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Tucson
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 228,020 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Tucson
Downtown Tucson is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson Unified District | Pre-K to 12 | 40,316 | 90 | 14.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Vail Unified District (15,011 students), Sunnyside Unified District (13,979 students), Marana Unified District (12,845 students), Amphitheater Unified District (11,277 students), Flowing Wells Unified District (5,225 students), Catalina Foothills Unified District (5,088 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Tucson's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Tucson's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- San Marcos, TX66% matchCompare
- San Antonio, TX66% matchCompare
- Sunrise Manor, NV65% matchCompare
- Midland, TX65% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Tucson
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Tucson
- Mount Lemmon Ski Valley 18 miles
- Sunrise Park Resort 144 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Tucson
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 66°F.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 158 days a year reach 90°F.
Tucson report card from locals
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Tucson through locals' eyes
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Cities near Tucson
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Tan Valley, AZ | 76 mi | 109,189 | $410,100 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Maricopa, AZ | 80 mi | 78,362 | $377,200 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 82 mi | 89,770 | $635,400 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Gilbert, AZ | 90 mi | 287,285 | $575,100 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Chandler, AZ | 92 mi | 278,748 | $507,800 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Mesa, AZ | 97 mi | 513,656 | $408,000 | 103.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Vail, Tucson Mountains and Marana lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Tucson.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Tucson with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Tucson a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are 158 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Tucson side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Tucson?
The Census Bureau estimates Tucson had 548,371 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 542,598 in April 2020 (+1.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Tucson?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $72,700 in the Tucson area. The median household here earns $57,073.
When is the best time to visit Tucson?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to April and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 100°F and January 66°F for daytime highs.
What county is Tucson in?
Tucson is in Pima County, Arizona. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Tucson in?
Tucson is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7 all year, with no daylight saving time).
What is the elevation of Tucson?
About 2,490 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Arizona have a state income tax?
Yes. Arizona has a flat income tax with a top rate of 2.5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Tucson. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Tucson, AZ metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Tucson Intl. Airport, AZ station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.