Is Tucson expensive to live in?

Tucson is among the more affordable of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $891 per month ranks #45 of 50 and is 27% lower than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Tucson?

Average rent in Tucson, AZ runs a studio around $795, a one-bedroom around $891, a two-bedroom around $1,146, a three-bedroom around $1,520 per month (US Census ACS).

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

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $891 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year. The median household income here is $54,546.

How much does it cost to live in Tucson per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Tucson is about $1,060 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

A view of a city with mountains in the background — Tucson, AZ

Cost of Living in Tucson, AZ

Population 542,629 · Arizona

~$1,060/mo est.1BR $891Home $242,200

Photo: JC Cervantes / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Tucson, AZ is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $891 a month — 27% lower than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $795 and two-bedrooms $1,146.

Median household income here is $54,546, 28% lower than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,060 before food and transport. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $891

Studio

$795

1 Bedroom

$891

2 Bedroom

$1,146

3 Bedroom

$1,520

Buying a Home$242,200

Median Home Value

$242,200

Income$54,546

Median Household Income

$54,546

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,760

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.37

Bread (lb)

$2.10

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.6¢/kWh

Electricity

15.6¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$19.69/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$5.57/gal

Regular Gasoline (West Coast (PADD 5))

$5.57/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public TransitFree

Base Fare (Sun Tran)

Free

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026). Fare-free.

State Taxes (AZ)5.6% sales

State Sales Tax

5.60%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 2.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime645.8 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

645.8

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,460

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Tucson Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 34.6 yrs

Median Age

34.6 yrs

Homeownership

51.7%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.2%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Climate70.2°F

Avg Annual Temperature

70.2°F

Annual Precipitation

11.6 in

Tucson cost of living — FAQ

Is Tucson expensive to live in?: Tucson is among the more affordable of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $891 per month ranks #45 of 50 and is 27% lower than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Tucson?: Average rent in Tucson, AZ runs a studio around $795, a one-bedroom around $891, a two-bedroom around $1,146, a three-bedroom around $1,520 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Tucson?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $891 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year. The median household income here is $54,546.
How much does it cost to live in Tucson per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Tucson is about $1,060 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Tucson with nearby cities

Tucson vs Mesa Tucson vs Phoenix Tucson vs El Paso Tucson vs Albuquerque Tucson vs Las Vegas Tucson vs San Diego

Nearby cities

Mesa, AZ 96 mi Phoenix, AZ 106 mi El Paso, TX 265 mi Albuquerque, NM 318 mi Las Vegas, NV 362 mi San Diego, CA 362 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.