Phoenix, AZ vs Tucson, AZ
Simple answer
You'd likely save $329 a month in Tucson.
This is the HUD 2-bedroom fair-market rent for October 2026 through September 2027. It is not your lease.
The largest cost gap in this pair is Census rent. Census median gross rent differs by $519, with Phoenix higher.
Arizona taxes wages at a flat 2.50%. Arizona taxes wages at a flat 2.50%. Combined sales tax differs by 0.0 percentage points, higher in Arizona. The effective property tax gap is 0.00 percentage points, higher in Arizona.
Both metros are in Arizona, so benefit eligibility in this tool does not change with the move. Rent and price levels still differ.
A $75,000 salary in Phoenix lines up with about $70,340 in Tucson on the 2024 all-items price parity. Census median gross rent and the commute figures are 2024. Fair Market Rents are fiscal year 2027.
Phoenix
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent
- $1,734
- HUD area
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ MSA
- Census median gross rent
- $1,819
- All-items price parity
- 103.3
- Goods price parity
- 95.0
- Utilities price parity
- 93.3
- Mean commute
- 27.6 min
- Median household income
- $90,133
Tucson
Tucson, AZ
- 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent
- $1,405
- HUD area
- Tucson, AZ MSA
- Census median gross rent
- $1,300
- All-items price parity
- 96.9
- Goods price parity
- 96.2
- Utilities price parity
- 89.5
- Mean commute
- 24.8 min
- Median household income
- $72,067
Equivalent salary
The first number keeps the same place in the national price level. The second also runs 2026 federal income tax, employee Social Security and Medicare, and a simplified state income tax. Groceries use the BEA goods price parity, not a grocery receipt.
$70,340
Salary in Tucson that matches the 2024 all-items regional price parity.
$69,512
Gross salary in Tucson whose after-tax pay buys the same basket, using price parities.
$60,770
Scales the salary by the ratio of HUD 2-bedroom Fair Market Rents. Rent is not the whole budget.
Taxes on the two sides of the move
| Tax | Arizona | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax on wages | 2.50% flat | 2.50% flat |
| Combined sales tax, Jan 1, 2026 | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Effective property tax, ACS 2024 median / median | 0.43% | 0.43% |
On a $400,000 home, the state median effective rate implies about $1,716 a year in Arizona and $1,716 in Arizona. That illustration is not a local bill. Childcare prices are not in the verified dataset for these metros.
Benefits if you land in Arizona
Phoenix and Tucson are in Arizona. The benefit rules in this tool are statewide, so the statuses match. Rent and prices still differ.
| Program | Phoenix | Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Likely eligible | Likely eligible |
| Medicaid and CHIP | Likely eligible | Likely eligible |
| WIC | Likely eligible | Likely eligible |
| School meals | Likely eligible | Likely eligible |
| LIHEAP | Maybe | Maybe |
| Earned Income Tax Credit | Likely eligible | Likely eligible |
| Child Tax Credit | Likely eligible | Likely eligible |
| Marketplace premium tax credits | Unlikely | Unlikely |
| Lifeline phone and internet | Likely eligible | Likely eligible |
| SSI | Unlikely | Unlikely |
Related comparisons
From Phoenix
The eight largest 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent gaps from Phoenix.
- Phoenix and San Francisco · rent gap $1,963
- Phoenix and San Jose · rent gap $1,538
- Phoenix and Boston · rent gap $1,274
- Phoenix and New York · rent gap $1,237
- Phoenix and Los Angeles · rent gap $1,230
- Phoenix and San Diego · rent gap $1,089
- Phoenix and Miami · rent gap $830
- Phoenix and Seattle · rent gap $815
How the salary and tax math works · The reverse city order redirects to this address.