What is the average rent in Tucson?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Tucson city centre costs approximately USD 1,385 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 1,088 (saving 22%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 2,123.

Is Tucson affordable to live in?

Tucson is mid-priced by global standards. Groceries are affordable, restaurants are average, and local purchasing power is strong.

🇺🇸 AZ, United States · 2026

Cost of Living in Tucson

Q: How expensive is Tucson compared to the rest of United States?

Tucson ranks #207 out of 577 cities globally. It is 21.7% cheaper than the United States average, based on 82 cities. The rent index is 28.8 and local purchasing power is 168.0.

21.7% below the United States average

Ranked #207 of 577 cities · More expensive than 64.1% of cities worldwide

-21.7%

Cost of Living

-30.3%

Rent

-10.3%

Groceries

+16.5%

Purchasing Power

Compared to United States average · See United States ranking →

Rent Prices in Tucson

Apartment	City Centre	Outside Centre	You Save
1-Bedroom	USD 1,385/mo	USD 1,088/mo	22%
3-Bedroom	USD 2,123/mo	USD 1,680/mo	21%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in Tucson

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	$3.75	2 sources
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	$3.68	2 sources
Bread (500g)	$2.58	2 sources
Local cheese (1kg)	$12.05	2 sources
Chicken (1kg)	$10.33	2 sources
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	$10.20	2 sources
Eggs (12)	$5.56	1 source
Milk (1L)	$0.91	2 sources
Potatoes (1kg)	$1.71	1 source
Tomatoes (1kg)	$3.13	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	$15.00	2 sources

Apples (1kg)

$3.75

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

$3.68

Bread (500g)

$2.58

Local cheese (1kg)

$12.05

Chicken (1kg)

$10.33

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

$10.20

Eggs (12)

$5.56

Milk (1L)

$0.91

Potatoes (1kg)

$1.71

Tomatoes (1kg)

$3.13

Wine (mid-range)

$15.00

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	$6.39	2 sources
Cappuccino	$4.68	1 source
McMeal	$10.00	1 source
Cheap meal	$16.50	2 sources
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	$81.75	2 sources

Draft beer (0.5L)

$6.39

Cappuccino

$4.68

McMeal

$10.00

Cheap meal

$16.50

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

$81.75

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	$118.00	1 source
Jeans (Levi's 501)	$47.00	1 source
Sport shoes (Nike)	$87.43	2 sources
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	$38.21	2 sources

Business shoes (leather)

$118.00

Jeans (Levi's 501)

$47.00

Sport shoes (Nike)

$87.43

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

$38.21

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	$12.00	2 sources
Gym membership	$34.73	2 sources

Cinema ticket

$12.00

Gym membership

$34.73

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	$0.85	2 sources
Taxi start	$2.75	1 source
Monthly pass	$39.00	1 source

Gasoline (1L)

$0.85

Taxi start

$2.75

Monthly pass

$39.00

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	$213.46	2 sources

Basic utilities (85m²)

$213.46

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★ Medium Confidence

Tucson has a cost of living index of 45.2 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.

45.2

Index

Sources

7.3

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

48.3

Expatistan

41.0

LivingCost

46.2

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Cost Indices

Cost of Living

-21.7% Very affordable

Rent

-30.3% Very affordable

Groceries

-10.3% Affordable

Restaurants

-5.4% Average

Purchasing Power

+16.5% Strong

Living in Tucson: What to Expect

Tucson is mid-priced by global standards (ranked #207 of 577 cities). It is 21.7% cheaper than the United States average, based on 82 cities.

Groceries are affordable and dining out is average. The best value is rent and the priciest is restaurants.

Local purchasing power is strong: residents can afford more goods and services than in most cities.

Cost of Living in Tucson

Rent Prices in Tucson

Prices of Goods & Services in Tucson

Groceries

Restaurants

Clothing & Shoes

Leisure

Transportation

Utilities

Multi-Source Comparison

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Cost Indices

Living in Tucson: What to Expect

How Does Tucson Compare?

Planning a Move to Tucson?