Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Tucson, AZ
About 13,066 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 11,189 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Tucson, AZ.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 19.0% of income in Phoenix, AZ and 19.0% in Tucson, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ (monthly)
| Monthly | Phoenix, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,107 | $1,107 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $113 | $113 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,727 | $4,727 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,493 | $1,092 | −$401 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,493 | $1,092 | −$401 |
| Food | $419 | $424 | +$5 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.2 | $419 | $424 | +$5 |
| Transportation | $205 | $205 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.12/gal (West Coast less California (PADD)) | $205 | $205 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $995 | $980 | −$15 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.2 | $475 | $481 | +$6 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.8 | $520 | $499 | −$21 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,589 | $1,999 | +$410 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 14.0% of income in Phoenix, AZ and 14.0% in Tucson, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ (monthly)
| Monthly | Phoenix, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,399 | $1,399 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,601 | $8,601 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,734 | $1,405 | −$329 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,734 | $1,405 | −$329 |
| Childcare | $2,039 | $1,870 | −$170 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $183/wk, school-age $171/wk (2022 prices, Pima County, AZ); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,039 | $1,870 | −$170 |
| Food | $1,219 | $1,234 | +$16 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.2 | $1,219 | $1,234 | +$16 |
| Transportation | $409 | $409 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.12/gal (West Coast less California (PADD)) | $409 | $409 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $995 | $980 | −$15 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.2 | $475 | $481 | +$6 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.8 | $520 | $499 | −$21 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,178 | $2,676 | +$497 |
Phoenix, AZ vs Tucson, AZ at a glance
| Measure | Phoenix, AZ | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 103.3 | 96.9 |
| Housing price level | 121.2 | 91.8 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,493 | $1,092 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,734 | $1,405 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,287 | $1,946 |
| Median home value | $440,900 | $319,700 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.44% | 0.71% |
| Median household income | $88,301 | $70,315 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $270 | $250 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| Regular gasoline | $5.12 | $5.12 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $157 | $157 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Tucson, AZ to keep my Phoenix, AZ lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Phoenix, AZ, about $63,229 in Tucson, AZ (−9.7%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $112,332. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Tucson, AZ cheaper than Phoenix, AZ?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Tucson, AZ is at 96.9 and Phoenix, AZ at 103.3 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$410 a month in Tucson, AZ.
How many people move from Phoenix, AZ to Tucson, AZ?+
About 13,066 people a year (±1,119), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 11,189 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.