Biggest tradeoff: Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona is the sharpest split in this comparison: strong on sunshine, weaker on climate comfort.
New Here?
Compare Tucson and 2 other shortlist cities on cost, climate, safety, and daily life
The cards open full city pages. The charts and matrix below are the fast side-by-side read on housing, climate, walkability, safety, schools, parks, and day-to-day tradeoffs.
TucsonPhoenixAlbuquerque
What Stands Out
A quick read on this comparison
Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.
Potential dealbreaker: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on tax burden.
Comparison Matrix
| City | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Route | |||
| General Info | |||
| Population | 531,641 | 1,650,070 | 559,121 |
| Population Density | 2.2k /sq mi | 3.1k /sq mi | 3.0k /sq mi |
| Center Elevation | 2,490 ft(759 m) | 1,086 ft(331 m) | 4,957 ft(1,511 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | |||
| Median Home | $318,643 | $402,796 | $335,186 |
| Median Rent | $1,401 | $1,561 | $1,474 |
| Median Income | $52,049 | $72,092 | $61,503 |
| Rent Burden | 32% | 26% | 29% |
| Climate & Risks | |||
| Days with 5+ Hours of Sun | 356 days/yr | 356 days/yr | 353 days/yr |
| Avg. High | 84°F | 87°F | 71°F |
| Avg. Low | 59°F | 62°F | 47°F |
| Comfort Score | 66/100Good | 53/100Mixed | 53/100Mixed |
| Temp Swing | 38°F | 42°F | 48°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 13"(33 cm) | 12"(30 cm) | 9"(23 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 3"(8 cm) | 0"(0 cm) | 14"(36 cm) |
| Air Quality | Typical: 402024 modeled avg · 23 days > 100 | Typical: 592024 modeled avg · 78 days > 100 | Typical: 492024 modeled avg · 16 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | |||
| Walkability | N/A | 41 | N/A |
| Transit Score | N/A | 36 | 51 |
| Safety Score | 65 / 100 | 54 / 100 | 40 / 100 |
| School Rating | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 |
| Flood Risk (FEMA) | minimalMinimal Risk | moderateModerate Risk | minimalMinimal Risk |
| Central Tract Wildfire Risk | unknownNo Data | unknownNo Data | unknownNo Data |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 8%Cable: 94% | Fiber: 29%Cable: 96% | Fiber: 1%Cable: 99% |
| Demographics | |||
| Median Age | 33.9 years | 34.4 years | 38 years |
| College Educated | 29% | 31% | 38% |
| Remote Workers | 11% | 14% | 11% |
| Nature Access | |||
| Local Nature & Reserves | Finding... | Finding... | Finding... |
| Scouting & Local Help | |||
Housing and local helpA practical next step once someone starts picturing the move. | Featured Local Partner ADRealtor Realtor spot available For an agent, brokerage, or relocation team that can answer housing questions in Tucson. One featured slot per city | Featured Local Partner ADRealtor Realtor spot available For an agent, brokerage, or relocation team that can answer housing questions in Phoenix. One featured slot per city | Featured Local Partner ADRealtor Realtor spot available For an agent, brokerage, or relocation team that can answer housing questions in Albuquerque. One featured slot per city |
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