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Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona, well-known for its sunny weather and exciting outdoor activities.
Tucson also hosts the largest, oldest, and most prominent gem show across the world making it one of the most coveted cities for gem collectors worldwide.
If you're mulling over moving to Tucson, AZ, we have all the information you need to help you make up your mind.
Let's dive right in!
Here's a simple summary Tucson, Arizona weather highlighting the most important metrics:
Learn some facts about Tucson, AZ before moving to the city to help you decide if it's the right place for you.
Tucson is rated as the second most populous city in Arizona. The city is home to 539,216 people who are mostly millennials, according to Arizona Demographics. The median age of the city's residents is 33.4 making it a great place for singles and young families.
If you hate winters and like a sunny climate, you'll enjoy moving to Tucson, AZ. The best time to visit Tucson for warm weather events are early June to mid July and from mid August to late September, according to WeatherSpark.
Commuting around Tucson, AZ is fairly fast compared to other similar size cities in the U.S. The average commute time in Tucson AZ is about 22.2 minutes, according to Best Places. The national average is 26.4 minutes. How do most residents get to work in Tucson, AZ?
Tucson has its share of culture and the city proudly displays them. Some of the best cultural events to explore in Tucson are:
A celebration of literature, both children and adults participate in this open-air and free-for-all annual book festival hosted at the University of Arizona Mall. Bookworms come here to discuss the latest books, meet their favorite authors, and discover new publishing houses.
The free-to-all street fair is held twice a year – in December and late March/early April. The fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 40+ food vendors, street musicians, jugglers, and kid’s entertainers. Annually held at Historic Fourth Avenue, the fair is celebrated with much jubilation.
One of the top 25 pro rodeos in the United States, Tucson Rodeo tests the ranching skills of both cowboys and cowgirls. The 2.5-mile stream of horse-drawn coaches, outfitted riders, folk dancers, and marching bands is also the world’s longest non-motorized parade.
The annual community-powered festival modeled after the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos is held in November every year and almost 150,000 people celebrate on the streets of Tucson in the company of myriad altars, performers, installation art, and creative pieces. The celebration ends with a two-mile-long procession that ceremonially burns a large Urn filled with the hopes, offerings, and wishes of the public for the ancestors.
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Tucson boasts of a rich historic past and its line of impressive museums display the city’s cultural history and heritage.
Some of the best museums in Tucson even celebrate technology.
The museums that display the history are:
The technology-themed museums in Tucson are:
The museums in Tucson that focus on arts include:
The zoo cum museum dedicated to indigenous animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert:
The city’s vibrant music scene is visible at the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Opera. No lover of classical music should miss them.
Tucson is home to many swanky malls, Tucson Mall being the biggest and best among them. Some other premium shopping venues in the city include the Spanish-styled La Encantada, Park Place Mall, and Main Gate Square.
Visit Old Town Artisans and Lost Barrio to browse through clothing, rugs, cushions, imported furniture, and furnishing from Mexico and other Latin American countries.
You can get anything from Cole Haan, J. Crew, Bluemercury, St. John, and Louis Vuitton to locally made rugs, jewelry, and clothing in Tucson.
The cost of living in Tucson, AZ is lower than the U.S. average. But that is not the only reason to move to the city. Here are 10 reasons why moving to Tucson, AZ could be perfect for you:
One of the best things about Tucson is the affordable cost of living. It’s cheaper by the national average by less than 6.4 percent. From groceries to gas, most things average out cheaper here, helping to keep a few extra bills in your pocket.
Your chances to buy a home are brighter in Tucson than in many other US cities. The average cost of a home is $135,500, which is much lower than the national average of $1, 85,000. However, the realty costs have gone up by 23% in the last year, which also means a house in Tucson is also a good investment for the future
The home rent in Tucson fits every budget. While the average rent for a studio apartment is $799, it is $1,800 for a 4-bedroom apartment.
The great nightspots in Tucson range from quiet wine bars to college hangouts and high-energy dance clubs, with lots in between. Breweries, sports bars, country/western saloons, LGBT clubs, comedy shows, performing arts venues, casino gaming – there is something for everyone in Tucson.
There is no shortage of festivals in Tucson but you will have a tough time picking one. The city hosts fests throughout the year – thanks to the great weather here.
Some of the best festivals you shouldn’t miss in Tucson are:
Tucson is free from almost every natural disaster – earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. And that makes the city one of the safest places in the country to live.
Though predominantly white, Tucson is also culturally diverse with a large population falling from different racial backgrounds. While 41% of the population are Non-Hispanic Whites, 30% are of White Hispanic background. While Asians form 31%, people from African-American backgrounds are 5%. In addition, Tucson also has people from multiracial backgrounds. Interestingly, 41% of the residents in Tucson are foreign-born.
Just as the city, the education institutions in Tucson are also highly diverse. You will see both students and teachers from different backgrounds here. Some of the most diverse schools in Tucson are:
Tucson takes pride in its sunny weather. The city has 300+ days of sunshine and winters are warm with snowfall. Snowbirds drive to Tucson in winter to explore its mesmerizing topography. In addition, the city is also alien to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
Hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, cycling – there is a lot in Tucson to explore. To feel more close to nature, Tucson has dozens of natural caves. Bird watching is another popular activity to do in Tucson and its suburbs
Tucson promises quality healthcare to its residents. The patient-doctor ratio in Tucson is impressive. As per the latest reports, three of the best hospitals in Arizona are in Tucson.
Here we give you the chance to weigh your options carefully considering the pros and cons of moving to Tucson, AZ.
What neighborhood will be the best for you if you're moving to Tucson, AZ? Using data from Home Snacks, we've compiled a list of the best neighborhoods in Tucson, AZ to help you make the right choice:
Here are the 10 best neighborhoods in Tucson, AZ
| Neighborhoods Place | Population | Median Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Palms Park | 861 | $208,300 | $76,875 |
| Eastside | 4,072 | $206,300 | $78,316 |
| Poets Square | 1,146 | $191,833 | $60,578 |
| Houghton | 2,646 | $273,400 | $87,860 |
| Harrison East-South | 3,045 | $154,700 | $57,993 |
| Saguaro Miraflores | 615 | $213,500 | $74,054 |
| Civano | 2,525 | $229,700 | $82,886 |
| Broadmoor-Broadway | 1,520 | $281,650 | $53,963 |
| Mesquite Ranch | 945 | $229,700 | $82,886 |
| Rita Ranch | 15,378 | $184,900 (35th best) | $80,100 (Fourth best) |
Tucson, AZ cost of living index is calculated using a national average of 100. An amount that is higher than 100 indicates that Tucson is more expensive to live in. An amount below that means the city is less expensive to live in compared to the national average.
The city of Tucson, AZ cost of living index is 91.6. This means the cost of living in Tucson, AZ is 8.4% lower than the U.S. average.
Moving to Tucson most likely means getting a new job. How much are Tucson residents earning on the average? Are they earning more or less than the U.S. average?
We've made a simple summary of the amount you're most likely to earn using data from Zip Recruiter, Best Places, and the Census Bureau:
The Median Household Income in Tucson is $41,625. The U.S. average is $63,179, using the most current data from the Census Bureau.
Chances are you may end up buying a home before or after moving to Tucson, AZ. Up to 55.6% of Tucson residents are homeowners, according to Best Places.
The values of homes in the city has increased by 7.6% over the past year and they are expected to nosedive by 0.6% within the next year, according to Zillow.
Here are the key metrics of Tucson, AZ real estate market using data collated from Zillow:
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Start My Quote NowIf you're interested in renting a home or an apartment before or after moving to Tucson AZ, we have all the data you need here to help you put the right foot forward.
The cost of renting a home or an apartment in Tucson, AZ is lower than the U.S. average. Up to 44% of Tucson residents are renters and about 3.6% of homes in the city are available to rent, according to Best Places.
Tucson, AZ is not a boring city. The city has tons of beautiful attractions and offers so many fun activities for everyone regardless of your lifestyle.
We've listed the best things to do after moving to Tucson, AZ to help you get started.
Sabino Canyon at Santa Catalina Mountains and Coronado National Forest is a popular hiking and riding spots packed with amazing wildlife. There are waterfalls nearby with bridges over them. In Tucson, both residents and tourists hike the Sabino Canyon.
An art museum operated by the University of Arizona at its campus near Park Avenue and Speedway Boulevard has a permanent collection of more than 6,000 works of art including paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. A visit to the museum is a must for every art lover.
A 5.5-acre garden is a collection of sixteen residentially scaled urban gardens. The garden homes orchids, cacti, jungle vegetation, and succulent. It also displays butterflies from 5 continents.
The 27-acre Reid Park Zoo features more than 500 animals. The zoo is divided into 4 zones based on the habitats of animals. The inhabitants include grizzly bears, Aldabra giant tortoise jaguar, lion, tiger, and giraffe.
Situated 22 miles away from Tucson, Colossal Cave is a large cave system with 3.5 miles of mapped passageways. An ancient karst cave, it was used from 900 to 1450 AD by the Hohokam, Sobaipuri, and Apache Indians. There are museums and camping facilities at Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
A 49-acre botanical garden, nature preserve, and cultural museum, Tohono Chul Park offers captivating views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The park is home to many species of wild, native fauna. Considered as one of the best botanical gardens in the world, the park has many outdoor exhibits, which include Ethnobotanical Garden, Riparian Habitat, geology Wall, and Sin Agua Garden.
The 92,000- acre Saguaro National Park at the heart of the Sonoran Desert forms a canvas of greenery with pine and coniferous forests 8,000 feet above sea level. There is a wide range of flora and fauna, including wildlife such as javelina, coyote, quail, and desert tortoise in the lower elevations and black bear, deer, and Mexican spotted owl in the upper elevations. The park is a popular hiking and biking destination.
Spread over 80 acres, Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the world's largest non-government funded aerospace museums and it displays nearly 400 aircraft in its 6 indoor hangars. Opened to the public in 1976, the collection even includes aircraft from the WWII era.
An astronomical observatory at Kitt Peak in the Arizona-Sonoran Desert, Kitt Peak National Observatory was established to inform and educate the public daily about basic astronomy, its current research themes, and the nature of the scientific process. It is home to one of the largest solar telescopes in the world. The observatory has one of the largest gatherings of astronomical instruments in the northern hemisphere.
Mount Lemmon, with a summit elevation of 9,159 feet (2,792 m), is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains and is situated in Coronado National Forest. Catalina Highway runs up the Santa Catalina Mountains from the east side of Tucson and is a beautiful curving road that tourists love to drive through
One of the popular attractions in Tucson is the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, a property with a series of buildings scattered throughout a natural desert setting. A legendary landmark of art and architecture, the 10-acre retreat has the adobe gallery, gift shop, cactus courtyard, Mission in the Sun, the artist's former home, and his grave.
Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Tucson, AZ.
Crime Rates in Tucson, AZ
Property and violent crimes rates are among the most important things you'll have to consider if you're considering moving to Tucson, AZ.
To help you make the right decision, we have collated crime stats from Area Vibes and Neighborhood Scout to help you understand the crime rates in Tucson, AZ.
We’ve listed out the 10 safest neighborhoods in Tucson for you based on the lowest number of crimes per 100K people.
If you're moving to Tucson, AZ, you'd probably be interested in the best schools in the city. Here we've compiled a simple list to help you get started.
University High School
Tucson Unified District, Public, 8-12 | 1100 students
BASIS Tucson North
Basis School Inc., Charter, 5-12 | 960 students
Vail Academy & High School
Vail Unified District, Public, K-12 | 451 students
Lewis & Clark High SchoolEmpire High School
Vail Unified District, Public, 9-12 | 707 students
Catalina Foothills High School
Catalina Foothills Unified District, Public, 9-12 | 1703 students
University of Arizona
Pima medical institute
Brookline college Tucson, AZ
Southwest University of Visual Arts
Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
BASIS Tucson North
Basis School Inc., Charter, 5-12 | 960 students
Esmond Station School
Vail Unified District, Public, PK-8 | 606 students
Orange Grove Middle School
Catalina Foothills Unified District, Public, 6-8 | 675 students
Vail Academy & High School
Vail Unified District, Public, K-12 | 451 students
Academy of Math and Science - Tucson
Academy of Mathematics and Science INC. 2, Charter, K-8 | 455 students
BASIS Tucson Primary
Basis Charter Schools INC. (6361), Charter, K-5 | 773 students
Fruchthendler Elementary School
Tucson Unified District, Public, PK-6 | 357 students
Mesquite Elementary School
Vail Unified District, Public, PK-5 | 647 students
BASIS Tucson North
Basis School Inc., Charter, 5-12 | 960 students
Esmond Station School
Vail Unified District, Public, PK-8 | 606 students
University High School
Tucson Unified District, Public, 8-12 | 1100 students
BASIS Tucson North
Basis School Inc., Charter, 5-12 | 960 students
Vail Academy & High School
Vail Unified District, Public, K-12 | 451 students
Lewis & Clark High SchoolEmpire High School
Vail Unified District, Public, 9-12 | 707 students
Catalina Foothills High School
Catalina Foothills Unified District, Public, 9-12 | 1703 students
University of Arizona
Pima medical institute
Brookline college Tucson, AZ
Southwest University of Visual Arts
Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
BASIS Tucson North
Basis School Inc., Charter, 5-12 | 960 students
Esmond Station School
Vail Unified District, Public, PK-8 | 606 students
Orange Grove Middle School
Catalina Foothills Unified District, Public, 6-8 | 675 students
Vail Academy & High School
Vail Unified District, Public, K-12 | 451 students
Academy of Math and Science - Tucson
Academy of Mathematics and Science INC. 2, Charter, K-8 | 455 students
BASIS Tucson Primary
Basis Charter Schools INC. (6361), Charter, K-5 | 773 students
Fruchthendler Elementary School
Tucson Unified District, Public, PK-6 | 357 students
Mesquite Elementary School
Vail Unified District, Public, PK-5 | 647 students
BASIS Tucson North
Basis School Inc., Charter, 5-12 | 960 students
Esmond Station School
Vail Unified District, Public, PK-8 | 606 students
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