salaryTucson is the 2nd-largest city in Arizona that we track, with 547,073 residents. Rent is lower than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,320 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Arizona cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Arizona. It is number 32 of 93 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Tucson with other big cities
Compare Tucson to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Tucson?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Tucson
| Size | Tucson | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $895 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,027 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,285 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,712 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,860 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Tucson overall?
Everyday prices in the Tucson metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Tucson
Life in Tucson
What jobs pay in Tucson
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $147,420 | 11.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,880 | 12.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,340 | 12.6% |
| Software Developer | $123,710 | 13.2% |
| Lawyer | $107,510 | 15.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,100 | 16.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,740 | 16.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $94,110 | 17.3% |
| Operations Manager | $83,610 | 19.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $81,490 | 20.0% |
| Police Officer | $76,970 | 21.2% |
| Accountant | $76,320 | 21.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,940 | 21.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $59,540 | 27.4% |
| Electrician | $59,480 | 27.4% |
| Plumber | $59,070 | 27.6% |
| Truck Driver | $56,640 | 28.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,070 | 29.1% |
| Carpenter | $49,110 | 33.2% |
| Firefighter | $47,960 | 34.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $47,220 | 34.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,380 | 36.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,940 | 38.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,560 | 38.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,090 | 40.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,500 | 43.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,490 | 44.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,530 | 47.2% |
| Cashier | $32,780 | 49.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Tucson?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $489 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $266,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,620 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Tucson, AZ?
Renting in Tucson costs a median of about $1,358 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Arizona median is $1,671.
How much do I need to make to live in Tucson?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,320 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Tucson cheap or expensive?
Tucson is rated OK: rent takes 26.5% of the typical household income of $61,553. It ranks 32nd cheapest of 93 Arizona cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Tucson?
The median homeowner in Tucson pays $1,786 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Tucson more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Tucson?
The median home value in Tucson is $266,200, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
547,073 people live in Tucson. Numbers are typical (middle) values.