Tucson, AZ

Tucson AZ scores 75/100 on safety (above average). Crime is about 4% below the national average. Pick the neighborhood carefully. Some ZIPs are fine, others are not.

Detail: violent crime index 32/100; property crime index 41/100; night safety Moderate. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

Campus scores in the report: Tucson Elementary (elementary) at 7/10; Tucson Middle School (middle) at 7/10; Tucson High School (high) at 8/10. On this 10-point scale, 7 is solidly middle; 9 is a standout.

District picture: about B+ (above average) · Top 35% statewide. Student-teacher staffing: 16:1. If schools drive your move, compare the specific campuses that serve your target address against statewide peers.

Typical rent in Tucson is about $1,402/month (moderate). At $1,402/month for a typical unit, you need about $50,472+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $218,200.

Median household income is $52,049, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($52,049) clears the $50,472 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 95°F (highs near 103°F, lows near 86°F).

Midafternoon outdoor time is limited most of summer without shade and water. Plan on summer electric bills around $200–$300/month for a typical apartment if you run AC hard. If you visit, go in July or August. That is the real test.

Who tends to thrive in Tucson: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 75/100) (2) People who genuinely love heat and do not mind living indoors June through September (highs near 103°F) (3) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 75/100) (4) Households earning $50,472+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,402/month

Who should look elsewhere: (1) People who need outdoor time year-round for their mental health (summers lock you inside for 3–4 months; highs near 103°F) (2) Households expecting top marks on rent, safety, and schools at once (Tucson does not clear every bar) (3) People who will not research ZIP-level crime and school maps before leasing

Income sniff test: clear about $50,472 household income for $1,402/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Tucson AZ is not worth a speculative move. Come only for a specific job or family reason.

The strongest upside is safety at 75/100 (above what many metros post).

The biggest risk is heat: highs near 103°F mean summers can run $200–$300/month in AC. Budget for that before you commit.