Arizona · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Tucson, AZ

The median household in Tucson, AZ earns $57,073 a year ($4,756/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,402/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $56,080 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$57,073$4,756 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,402HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)96.9-3.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential AZ
Census Population547,073Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Tucson, AZ

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,402Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$56,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,427At 30% of $57,073
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Tucson, AZ

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Tucson, AZ MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Tucson, AZ
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$967$11,604$38,68020.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,081$12,972$43,24022.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,402$16,824$56,08029.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,950$23,400$78,00041%
4-Bedroom Home$2,245$26,940$89,80047.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Tucson, AZ →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Tucson, AZ

Based on the local median household income of $57,073/year ($4,756/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,378/moRent ($1,402 2-BR), utilities (~$137/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,427/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 96.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$951/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Arizona

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Arizona state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$57,073
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$57,073
Net 82%
Fed 8%
AZ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$47,005After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,917Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,808Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,669 / yr
Arizona state income tax$1,033 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,366 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Arizona with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Tucson, AZ

What is the median household income in Tucson, AZ?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Tucson, AZ is $57,073 per year (approximately $4,756 per month).

What is the average rent in Tucson, AZ?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Tucson, AZ are $967 for a studio, $1,081 for 1 bedroom, $1,402 for 2 bedrooms, $1,950 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,245 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Tucson, AZ compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Tucson, AZ is 96.9 (3.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Tucson, AZ?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,402/month) in Tucson, AZ requires a minimum gross household income of $56,080 per year ($4,673 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Tucson, AZ?

For a typical household earning the median income of $57,073/year ($4,756/month) in Tucson, AZ, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,378/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,427/month to discretionary spending, and $951/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Tucson, AZ?

Residential electricity rates in Arizona average 15.2¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $137 per month.