The Average Rent in Tucson

Located roughly 60 miles north of the Mexico border, Tucson boasts a unique fusion of cultures.

The “Old Pueblo” is a city with a small-town feel and many dimensions amidst a thriving food, music and art scene. Plus, the average rent in Tucson is cheaper than the national average. Nestled between several mountain ranges, this part of Southern Arizona averages 350 days of sunshine each year — offering residents plenty to do outdoors with stunning desert scenery and famous dry heat.

This southwestern town is also the home of the University of Arizona Wildcats, making the college sports scene and student life a large part of the city’s profile.

Thanks to a wide assortment of populations, there are places to live in Tucson to fit any budget. Here’s how the average rent in Tucson matches up with the rest of the country.

What is the average rent in Tucson?

Due to Tucson’s range of diversity, there are many job opportunities in all the different industries. While some neighborhoods are more expensive than others, the average rent in Tucson is $933 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Even though that’s an 11.64 percent rise from last year, it’s still well under the national average for the same type of housing. The increase in average rent in Tucson brings to light that it’s growing at a steady rate, which means the overall economy is doing pretty well.

How much do I need to make to live in Tucson?

It’s essential to live as comfortably as possible, which is why experts don’t recommend spending more than 30 percent of your pre-tax income on housing.

Based on the average monthly rent at $933 for a one-bedroom apartment, you would need an annual salary of $37,320 to live without financial stress for basic needs. Considering the average wage of Tucson citizens is $64,000, housing is affordable for most workers throughout the city.

To find a more personalized calculation for your needs and pinpoint your exact budget to make a move to Tucson, try out our rent calculator.

The cost of living in Tucson

Tucson seems to have reasonable prices compared to other cities in the United States. Tucson rates a 99.9 out of 100 for the cost-of-living index in the country. The average rent in Tucson greatly impacts the cost-of-living index here.

After you’ve determined what you will need to pay for rent, it’s time to figure out the cost of the other expenses, such as groceries, utilities, transportation and healthcare.

Thanks to these statistics, you can expect to pay reasonable prices for everyday essentials without putting a lot of pressure on your wallet. With all the categories broken down into a simple list, it’s easy to see that life in Tucson isn’t too pricey.

• Housing: The cost of housing in Tucson is 6.3 percent lower than the national average
• Transportation: The cost of transportation in Tucson is 3.2 percent less than the national average
• Healthcare: The cost of healthcare in Tucson is 1.3 percent above the average in the rest of the country
• Utilities: The cost of utilities in Tucson is 1.4 percent above the national average
• Groceries: The cost of groceries in Tucson is 3.5 percent above the national average
• Miscellaneous goods and services: The cost of miscellaneous goods and services in Tucson is 3.6 percent more than the national average

The most and least expensive neighborhoods in Tucson

The “Old Pueblo” has grown dramatically over the last decade. However, the most and least expensive parts of the city have remained in the same areas.

There are pockets of homes downtown near the historic district and university that have a reputation for being the costliest in addition to the northeast and west sides. South Tucson and the southeast parts of town are on the least expensive end of the spectrum.

The remaining majority of the city has culturally and financially diverse neighborhoods. Many city sections are a mixed bag of expensive and inexpensive housing. People here tend to house or apartment hunt based on school district preferences or proximity to workplaces — not neighborhoods.

With such a varying assortment of properties, it’s not difficult to find something suitable for every budget in Tucson.

The most expensive neighborhoods in Tucson

The most expensive homes in Tucson are the ones built on large naturally landscaped lots away from the central part of the city, offering plenty of peace and blissful scenery.

The Armory Park neighborhood is where some of the oldest homes in the city are. These are rich in character and are close to the metro part of town and university.

Living in the area near the Tucson Mountains neighborhood is another part of town that is deceivingly expensive. However, here you get sweeping desert views where it’s easy to witness some of the best sunsets in the state. Even though there’s plenty of natural space in the Tucson Mountains, it also offers easy access to the highway.

Located in the northeast near Sabino Canyon, the Bear Canyon neighborhood is where tourists and locals enjoy outdoor recreation and fine dining — it’s not hard to see why the cost of rent in these parts has risen 12.42 percent in the last year.

*May not be a true market representation due to insufficient inventory

The cheapest neighborhoods in Tucson

The cheapest places to live in Tucson are primarily found on the south sides of the city. These include homes and apartments situated near the central part of Tucson, which are usually smaller and older. However, more affordable options are starting to pop up elsewhere, as new development neighborhoods are popping up on the outskirts of town.

Winter Haven is an excellent example of a nostalgic, more affordable neighborhood located in a safe part of the city. Even though its average rent has dropped nearly 7 percent in the last year, it’s a relatively popular community.

The Sunnyside neighborhood is right across the freeway from the Midvale Park neighborhood, but it’s significantly cheaper in terms of monthly rent.

People looking for a larger home or apartment within a tight budget should look to the very north, west and east edges of town. Even though they aren’t right in the city center, they offer lots more living space at great rates. Tucson isn’t that big of a city, so commuting to work or school is easy — no matter where you live.

*May not be a true market representation due to insufficient inventory

Average rent in Tucson neighborhoods

Tucson has a large variety of rent prices all over town. Apartments and homes can have a monthly rent rate in the range of $569 to $1,735 depending on where you choose to move. Overall, you can find something for every financial situation in most sections of the city.

*May not be a true market representation due to insufficient inventory

Find your ideal Tucson neighborhood

With the fantastic weather, flavorful cuisine and artsy culture of southern Arizona, it’s not difficult to understand why Tucson is growing so quickly each year. Come and see this enchanting city for yourself and discover why it’s one of the country’s best-kept secrets.

Find your ideal Tucson apartment today.

Average rent prices in Indianapolis are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments. Data was pulled in May 2021 and goes back for one year. We use a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.

Neighborhoods with insufficient inventory were excluded.

Cost of living data comes from the Council for Community and Economic Research.

The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.