USLivingCost Salaries · Rent · Cost of Living

Cost of living in Tucson, AZ

Median rent is $1,079 a month and the median household income is $54,546, in a metropolitan or state price environment of 94.3 measured by the BEA for the Tucson, AZ metropolitan area. Figures come from the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates and the BEA Regional Price Parities 2023.

Tucson, AZ at a glance

Salary needed for the median rent
$43,200
keeps rent at 30% of gross income
Median gross rent
$1,079
per month · margin of error ±$13
Median household income
$54,546
per year · margin of error ±$993
Rent as a share of income
23.7%
12 months of median rent ÷ median income
Price level
94.3
metro area · U.S. average = 100
Median home value
$242,200
owner-occupied units · margin of error ±$2,534

Rent affordability calculator

Same formulas as above, with your own numbers

$
$
Rent share of income At 30% threshold
23.7%
Min. income for this rent Keeps rent at 30% of gross
$43,200
Monthly income after rent For other expenses & savings
$3,466
Affordable rent at median income $54,546 income at 30%
$1,364
+$285 vs. median

The rent-to-income rule is a guideline, not a measurement: it looks at rent and income only and ignores transport, childcare, taxes and debt. The result is only as reliable as the two numbers you type in.

Moving cost calculator

Estimate the upfront cash you need to move to Tucson. Adjust each item to your situation.

Lease & housing

$
× monthly rent
months

Moving & transport

$
$

Setup & utilities

$

Temporary housing

nights
$

Storage

months
$

Buffer

$
Security deposit$1,618 (1.5 × rent)
$1,618
First month's rentDue at signing
$1,079
Moving servicesTruck, movers, supplies
$2,000
Utility deposits & setupElectric, water, internet
$300
Temporary housing3 nights × $150
$450
Storage0 months × $150
$0
Travel costsFlights, gas, meals
$500
Miscellaneous / bufferUnexpected expenses
$500
Estimated total upfront cashAll categories combined
$5,998

Time to save for your move

How long to save the total based on what you can put aside each month.

$ per month
Months to save
6.6 months
at $909/month
Years to save
0.5 years
Assuming consistent monthly savings
Target date
—
Estimated move-ready date

These are estimates for a typical move. Actual costs vary by distance, household size, timing and service choices. Security deposit and first month are usually due at lease signing. Get quotes from movers for accurate figures. Savings timeline assumes consistent monthly contributions with no interest.

Monthly cost breakdown

Estimated budget by category for a single adult. Based on BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, adjusted for local prices.

$ per month
Housing Rent + utilities
33% $1,125
/mo
/mo
/mo
Food Groceries + dining out
13% $443
/mo
/mo
Transportation Car + transit + fuel
16% $545
/mo
/mo
/mo
/mo
Healthcare Insurance + out-of-pocket
8% $273
/mo
/mo
Personal & Misc Clothing, entertainment, savings
10% $341
/mo
/mo
/mo
Other / Discretionary Subscriptions, gifts, travel, etc.
20% $682
/mo
/mo
/mo
/mo
Total estimated expenses $3,409
Monthly surplus / deficit $0
Savings rate 0%

Based on BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2023 national averages, adjusted by 94.3 price index. Actual spending varies by household. Use the sliders and inputs to customize for your situation.

Rent vs. Buy calculator

Compare the long-term cost of renting versus buying in Tucson. Adjust the assumptions to match your situation.

Home Purchase

$
%
%
/yr
/yr
/yr (1% of value)
(~3% of price)

Market Assumptions

%
%
%

Renting

$
%
/yr
(1 month rent)
Total cost of buying Over 7 years
—
Total cost of renting Over 7 years
—
Difference Buying saves / costs more
—

Cost breakdown

Buying costs

  • Down payment—
  • Closing costs—
  • Mortgage payments (P&I)—
  • Property tax—
  • Insurance—
  • Maintenance—
  • Tax savings (deduction)—
  • Opportunity cost (down payment)—
  • Subtotal—
  • Minus: Home equity gained—
  • Minus: Appreciation—
  • Net cost of buying—

Renting costs

  • Security deposit (invested)—
  • Monthly rent payments—
  • Renter's insurance—
  • Investment returns (saved diff)—
  • Net cost of renting—

Simplified model: assumes fixed-rate mortgage, constant tax rate, no HOA fees, no major repairs beyond 1%/yr maintenance. Property tax and insurance scale with home value. Tax savings assume itemizing deductions. Consult a financial advisor for your specific situation.

Commute cost calculator

Estimate the true cost of your daily commute — including time, fuel, vehicle wear, and opportunity cost.

Your Commute

miles
days
weeks

Vehicle

MPG
$/gallon
/mile
/mile
$/yr

Time Value

minutes
$/hour (pre-tax)
%

Alternatives

$/month
minutes
(1 = solo)
Drive alone Per year
—
Carpool (1 person = solo) Your share
—
Public transit Per year
—

Annual cost breakdown (driving alone)

Vehicle costs

  • Fuel—
  • Maintenance & tires—
  • Depreciation—
  • Insurance—
  • Subtotal—

Time costs

  • Commute time (after tax)—
  • Subtotal—

Totals

  • Total annual (drive alone)—
  • Per month—
  • Per work day—
  • Annual hours commuting—
  • Annual miles driven—

Based on IRS standard mileage concepts. Fuel, maintenance, and depreciation rates are national averages — adjust for your vehicle. Time value uses your hourly income. Transit costs vary by city. This is a simplified model for comparison purposes.

Retirement savings calculator

Estimate how much you need to save for retirement in Tucson, and see how local cost of living affects your retirement timeline.

Your Profile

years
years
years
$

Income & Savings

$
% of gross income
% of income (up to match limit)
%

Investment Assumptions

%
%
%
%

Retirement in Tucson

$
$
(US avg = 100)
Projected nest egg
At age 65
—
Annual retirement income
From savings (4% rule)
—
Income gap / surplus
vs. target retirement income
—

Projection Details

Accumulation Phase (age 35–65)

  • Years to retirement—
  • Annual contribution—
  • Employer match (annual)—
  • Total annual investment—
  • Projected portfolio value—

Decumulation Phase (age 65–85)

  • Retirement years—
  • Annual withdrawal—
  • Inflation-adjusted withdrawal (yr 1)—
  • Home equity (if owned)—
  • Total retirement resources—

Affordability in Tucson

  • Required annual income—
  • Local rent (annual)—
  • Rent as % of retirement income—
  • COL-adjusted income need—
  • Can you afford retirement here?—

Simplified model: assumes constant returns, no tax impact on withdrawals, no major medical expenses, no inheritance. Social Security not included. Home equity assumes mortgage-free at retirement. Consult a financial advisor for personalized planning.

College savings calculator

Estimate how much to save for college in Tucson, and see how local costs affect your education planning.

Children

child(ren)
years old
years

College Type & Costs

$
$
$
%

Savings & Aid

$
$/month
%
$
%

Local Context (Tucson)

(US avg = 100)
$
Total 4-year cost After inflation
—
Funding gap After savings & aid
—
Required monthly savings To fully fund
—

Cost Breakdown (per child)

Annual Costs

  • Tuition & fees—
  • Room & board—
  • Books & supplies—
  • Total annual—
  • Total 4-year (inflated)—

Funding Sources

  • Current savings (future value)—
  • Monthly contributions (future value)—
  • Expected grants/scholarships—
  • Total funded—
  • Funding gap—

Loan Scenario (if gap > 0)

  • Loan amount needed—
  • Monthly payment (10 yr)—
  • Monthly payment (15 yr)—
  • Total interest paid—
  • Debt-to-income ratio—

Simplified model: assumes constant inflation, level payments, no tax-advantaged accounts (529), no merit aid variation. Actual costs vary by institution. FAFSA uses prior-prior year income. Consult a college financial planner.

How Tucson compares

All figures from the same ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates and BEA Regional Price Parities 2023

Cities of comparable size

Cities in Arizona

See the Arizona page

More affordable, similar cities

More purchasing power than Tucson

Compare Tucson side by side

Build any other pair

Salaries in Tucson

Median annual wage by occupation, May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

Most common occupations here

Highest paying occupations here

See every occupation covered

Definitions used on this page

Median gross rent
Census table B25064. Median contract rent plus estimated average monthly cost of utilities and fuels paid by the renter.
Median household income
Census table B19013. Total pre-tax income of all members of a household, for all households in the city.
Median home value
Census table B25077. Owner's estimate of the value of the property, for owner-occupied units only.
Price level
BEA regional price parity, all items, for Tucson, AZ. National average = 100.
Salary needed
Twelve months of median gross rent divided by 0.30. It answers one question: what income keeps the median rent at 30% of gross pay.

Sources for Tucson, AZ

Margins of error are published for every Census figure and are shown under each metric. Read the methodology before drawing conclusions from small differences between two cities.

Compare Tucson with another city in the comparison tool.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tucson, AZ

What is the median rent in Tucson, AZ?
The median gross rent in Tucson, AZ is $1,079/month, with a margin of error of ±$13.
What salary do I need to live in Tucson, AZ?
You need an annual salary of at least $43,200 to keep median rent at 30% of your gross income in Tucson, AZ.
What is the cost of living index for Tucson, AZ?
The price level index for Tucson, AZ is 94.3 (US average = 100). This means it is cheaper than the national average.
How does Tucson, AZ compare to the national average for rent?
Median rent in Tucson, AZ is $1,079/month, which is 23.7% of the median household income of $54,546.
What is the median household income in Tucson, AZ?
The median household income in Tucson, AZ is $54,546/year (margin of error ±$993).
Is Tucson, AZ expensive compared to other US cities?
With a price index of 94.3 (US average = 100), Tucson, AZ is cheaper than the national average. Rent as a share of income is 23.7%.

Explore more about Tucson, AZ