17 Pros and Cons of Living in Tucson, AZ (2024)

If you are thinking about moving to Tucson, Arizona, there are a few things you should know!

The city has a culture all of its own, from the landscape to the food, activities, weather, wildlife, and more.

Living in “The Old Pueblo”, as it is fondly called, is an experience you will not forget.

Here is everything you need to know about living in Tucson!

Pros of Living in Tucson

1. The Scenery is Breathtaking

Wherever you look in Tucson, the scenery is bound to take your breath away.

The city is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, which features mountains on all sides.

The state’s official symbol is the enormous Saguaro cactus, which you can find growing in literal forests.

In addition to the beauty of the desert, the pristine air quality and low light pollution mean crystal-clear skies all year long.

2. The Weather is Sunny Year-Round

Tucson is one of the sunniest cities in the country, with about 350 days of sunshine on average.

June through September is the official “monsoon season”, but you will still find little cloud cover during this time.

The city averages 10.61 inches of precipitation a year.

You can depend on the weather to be nice for outdoor activities at any time of the year.

3. The Population is Diverse

Diversity is a fact of life in Tucson.

Being so close to the Mexico border means that the city has a sizable Hispanic population, at about 43.6 percent.

While the majority of the rest of the population is Caucasian (also at about 43 percent), Tucson residents also tend to be open to other cultures and welcoming to people of all ethnicities.

4. The Air Quality is Some of the Best in the Country

If you are looking for clean air, you almost can’t do any better than Tucson.

The city has some of the cleanest air in the United States — and even beats out most other cities across the world!

This makes it an excellent place for people with chronic respiratory issues such as asthma.

It has consistently ranked as the city with the cleanest air in the country by the American Lung Association.

5. Cost of Living is Affordable

The cost of living is stunningly affordable in Tucson, especially when you consider the size of the city.

Costs here are roughly 10 percent lower than the national average.

Studies show that a family of four can live comfortably on roughly $3,000 a month in Tucson.

Rental prices range from $800-$1,300 a month for an apartment.

This is particularly remarkable when you consider that the rest of Arizona has a higher cost of living than the national average.

6. There Are Plenty of Jobs

The job market in Tucson has plenty to offer.

The University of Arizona is the single biggest employer in the city, and there are many other jobs in sectors such as defense, hospitality, tech, and more.

The average hourly wage in the city is $22.18 with a citywide unemployment rate of 2.8 percent.

7. There is a lot to do

With more than 350 days of sunshine every year, there is plenty to do in Tucson!

From outdoor activities to museums, art galleries, music venues, and much more, this is a city that knows how to have fun.

The entertainment does not stop when the sun sets, either.

You can depend on most bars and clubs to close as late as 2 a.m., making it a perfect place for night owls!

8. Education is Excellent

Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, but it rates highly in terms of education at every level.

This is especially significant considering that Arizona as a state ranks low in education.

So if you are looking for a place in Arizona to educate your child, Tucson is the place to be!

The city has small classes and a wide variety of schooling options, including public, private, and charter schools.

9. The Food is Top-Notch

Southwestern cuisine is amazing, but Tucson takes it to another level.

The city has been named a World Heritage Site of Gastronomy by UNESCO, which means you can find something delicious to eat wherever you go.

In addition to plenty of Mexican cuisine (some people say that the city is the best place to find Mexican food north of the border), you will find plenty of dishes that are totally unique to Tucson.

Cons of Living in Tucson

1. Valley Fever is a Thing

When you live in Tucson, getting Valley Fever might be a when not an if.

This illness attacks both humans and pets and is carried by a fungus found in desert soil.

Arizona is home to two-thirds of the nation’s Valley Fever cases every year.

Most people get better within a few weeks, though some need long-term antifungal treatment.

In some high-risk people, the fungus can cause pneumonia or even meningitis, which can be fatal.

2. It’s Hot — Really Hot

It should come as no surprise that Tucson’s climate can be fiery.

The city lies in the Sonoran Desert, which means it enjoys hot, dry weather for most of the year.

During the winter, this means that temperatures are mild and pleasant.

But during the summer, the heat is often described as “unbearable”, with temperatures rarely falling below 90 degrees between July and August and often rising as high as 105.

3. There Are Creepy Crawlies

Despite what you might think, there aren’t as many common insects in Tucson as you might think.

The extremely dry climate makes it a poor habitat for gnats, flies, and mosquitos.

However, there are some unusual insects that might be hard to get used to.

Black widows, scorpions, and tarantulas are all common, as are reptiles of all kinds.

Do not be surprised to see lizards and snakes, including some which can be extremely dangerous.

4. Commuting Can be a Bear

Commuting in Tucson is famously inefficient.

Although it is a major metropolitan area, the city only has one major highway (and a half, if you want to be technical).

That means that most heavy traffic, such as freight trucks, is forced to keep to I-10 and I-19.

For locals, it is much easier to use surface streets unless they want to fight a lot of traffic and much bigger vehicles.

5. The Job Market Isn’t Diverse

Wait, didn’t we just say that the Tucson job market is robust?

Well, yes — but there are some caveats.

While there are plenty of jobs available in Tucson, they tend to be in a few specific industries.

Tucson’s biggest employers are the university and military, with a growing tech industry on the rise.

If you do not have experience in a relevant field, you might not find it easy to get a job here.

6. Crime Rates Are Higher Than Average

Like any city, Tucson has safer and more dangerous areas.

However, as a whole, the city’s crime rate is significantly higher than most of the rest of the country, including the national average.

In fact, Tucson scores worse than 94 percent of cities in the United States.

Your chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Tucson are 1 in 141, putting the crime rate at 121.57 percent higher than the national average.

7. Flying Can be a Hassle

It might seem strange, but even as a major city, Tucson is not easy to navigate air travel.

The airport itself is nice, and generally not terribly crowded.

But if you are trying to get to another major city outside of Arizona, expect to have to make a connecting flight.

Tucson is not considered a major hub like Phoenix, so if you travel a lot, you might find yourself hopping on a lot of connections.

8. You’ll Have to Deal With Snowbirds

Tucson has a famously mild climate during the winter, which means that it is a hotspot for tourists between November and March.

These seasonal residents are known as snowbirds.

They are often retirees who have unlimited free time to spend months in new spots.

This influx of tourism can cause bigger crowds and more traffic, irritating locals.

Pros and Cons of Living in Tucson, AZ – Summary Table

Moving to Tucson

Tucson certainly has a unique way of life, one that is not for everyone.

But there are also countless people who love living here!

If you are looking for a place with beautiful views, clean air, and sunshine, Tucson is the city for you.