Firstly why Tucson, Arizona?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Tucson
• State: Arizona
• Population: 548,073 people
• Tucson’s quick summary would be Famous for the University of Arizona and its annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 15,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 23,000 annually
• Net Migration: -8000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 6,000
• Number of Homeless people: 4,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers cultural diversity and warm weather appealing to retirees and families

Perk #1: Tucson Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 33%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 48%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $58,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Tucson is $62,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $4000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Tucson’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 85 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,836
• Property Tax %: 1.01%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,100
• Rent for an average house: $2,000
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Catalina Foothills
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Tucson, Oro-Valley, Marana, Vail, and probably could include Sahuarita
• Avg. Age of Homes in Tucson: 45 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Tucson’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Tucson are  Education, Healthcare, and Manufacturing
• Tucson Job Scene: stable job market with education and healthcare sectors
• The General Tech Scene: diverse tech scene with aerospace, defense, and renewable energy sectors
• Tucson Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Tucson: 8.6%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 150 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 30

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Tucson

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $95 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-10 runs through Tucson providing major north-south access
• Commute Time: 26 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic bottlenecks on Speedway Boulevard
• Transportation Score: 56 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Tucson: 520,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.9
• No. of Car Washes: 14 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Tucson: azdot.gov/motor-vehicles
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 67 of 100
• Local Airport: Tucson International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Tucson’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Monsoon storms
• General Weather in Tucson is best described as experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly above 100°F and mild winters with occasional cool spells
• Winter Weather in Tucson i’d describe as cool with sunny weather
• Spring Weather in Tucson can be described as warm and dry
• Summer’s in Tucson are mostly hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Tucson is usually warm and clear
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 63 days in summer
• Days in a row in Tucson below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 11 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality with periods of dust and ozone issues
• Tucson Winter Air generally good air quality occasionally affected by dust

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Tucson Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Tucson 6
• While the number of trade schools inside Tucsons’s city limits are 6
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Tucson Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Tucson Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Tucson only Doctors is about 475
• Local Hospitals here is  9
• Full-time Tucson only Police Officers is about 1,600
• Crime Rate Index: 50/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Tucson’s Monthly utility bill average is $125
• Tucson’s Monthly Gym Membership: $48
• Tucson’s Water Quality Score: 73

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Tucson

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 18 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: a blend of rich history and diverse cultural influences
• You might enjoy live concerts at the Rialto Theatre
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Tucson  offers a diverse nightlife with an array of bars music venues and cultural events at night

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Tucson

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features Mexican food Southwestern cuisine and local eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 200 scattered around Tucson
• The Popular Sports Team is Arizona Wildcats
• Top Level Political Climate in Tucson can be described as liberal stronghold with a focus on social justice and immigrant rights
• Tucson’s Longer standing religious establishment is St. Augustine Cathedral

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Tucson Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Tucson has 100 Parks?
• Reid Park is Tucson’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Tucson Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-12pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and rock climbing

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Tucson Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Tucson can be described as laid-back urban vibe with a diverse cultural scene
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Tucson visiting the desert museum hiking local trails exploring parks
• The Cities people commute to from Tucson are Bisbee 82 miles away Sierra-Vista 66 miles away Nogales 70 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Tucson or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic bottlenecks on Speedway Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Tucson’s Monsoon storms risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Catalina Foothills is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Tucson are Bisbee 82 miles away Sierra-Vista 66 miles away Nogales 70 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 50 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Tucson has 0 days in a row below freezing and 63 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Tucson people have an average (positive or negative) $4000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   4,000 homeless people living in Tucson. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal stronghold with a focus on social justice and immigrant rights could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Tucson.

Retiree & Senior Life in Tucson

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access property tax deferments allowing future payments of taxes
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Reserve at Tucson
• Tucson Parks and Recreation offers senior programs classes and health services

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Tucson, Arizona?

If Tucson, Arizona ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Tucson, Arizona, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!