Tucson, AZ, known as 'The Old Pueblo,' offers a unique blend of Southwestern charm and urban amenities. Located in southern Arizona, Tucson is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Phoenix and Nogales enhance its status as a central point in the region. Tucson's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Tucson is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Saguaro National Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Sabino Canyon to the bustling Fourth Avenue district, known for its local shops and restaurants. Tucson's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from traditional Mexican cuisine to contemporary fusion dishes.
Annual events such as the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and the Tucson Festival of Books highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Tucson's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Arizona contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Tucson is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Tucson Museum of Art are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Tucson provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Tucson’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like FC Tucson (USL) and the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Tucson include aerospace, defense, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Raytheon and Banner Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and a developing streetcar system, making it easy to navigate the city.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Located in the state of Arizona, Tucson is a highly populated city with a population of 545,340 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (69% White). Given that fact, Tucson could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Tucson are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 27% of the population also speak Spanish. In Tucson, only 42% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Tucson is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Arizona, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Tucson and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, employment and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 74 out of 100, Tucson is ranked #3,602 in the United States and #19 in Arizona. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Tucson ranks well for amenities (B), cost of living (A) and housing (A). Tucson does not do well for the following: crime (F) and employment (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Tucson has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Tucson has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Pima Air & Space Museum, Reid Park Zoo, and Tucson Botanical Gardens.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Tucson apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Tucson is real estate affordability. The median home price for Tucson homes is $165,900, which is 6.2% lower than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Tucson, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 5.7% higher than the Arizona average.
| Statistic | Tucson | Arizona | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.1% | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.5% | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.9% | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.2% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.0% | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.7% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
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