Tucson

Tucson, Arizona Overview

Tucson faces challenges across several categories, earning a C grade (47.8/100) and ranking #18 of 20 cities in Arizona. Even so, the city scores 75/100 in Affordability — a relative bright spot compared to its Environment score of 26/100.

Income & Employment in Tucson

Tucson’s median income of $55,708 is 25% below the state median, but positive population growth of 0.7% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%.

Safety in Tucson

Tucson reports 473.4 violent crimes per 100,000, roughly in line with the statewide rate of 430 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 2764.4 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Tucson

Tucson has a cost of living index of 94.3 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $242,200. Median monthly rent is $1,079. Renters spend 23.2% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Tucson

The adult obesity rate in Tucson is 33.5% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 11.5%. Residents report an average of 18.3 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Arizona ranks #33 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Tucson

Tucson has a high school graduation rate of 81.9%. The student-teacher ratio is 19.1:1. Per-pupil spending is $11,485. The city has 223 public schools serving 110,056 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Tucson

Summers in Tucson are hot, averaging 89.9°F. Summers average 89.9°F. Winters average 51.7°F. The area is arid, receiving only 10.4 inches of precipitation annually.

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