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City Report · AZ

South Tucson

Pop. 4,550·51st most expensive in Arizona·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,167/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+19.7%
vs US Median
-$795
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Tucson · $1,167
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
42% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,167/mo, rent takes about 42% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$47,000/yr
Local median income
$33,598/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Tucson's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$713
1 BR
$847
2 BR
$1,063
3 BR
$1,327
4 BR+
$1,385
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,063/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,167 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$14,004/yr
At $1,167/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +19.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Tucson, AZ is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 13% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,550
Median income
$33,598
Median age
41.7
Renters
65.6%
Age distribution
25.1%
16.5%
28.5%
15.8%
14.2%
Under 1825.1%
18–3416.5%
35–5428.5%
55–6415.8%
65+14.2%
Gender
52.1%
47.9%
Male52.1%
Female47.9%
Race & ethnicity
26.5%
84.7%
White26.5%
Black2.4%
Hispanic84.7%
Education (25+)
33.8%
30.5%
22.7%
13%
No HS diploma33.8%
HS diploma30.5%
Some college22.7%
Bachelor's+13%
Housing tenure
34.4%
65.6%
Owner34.4%
Renter65.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How South Tucson, AZ has changed in 5 years

Income
$31,907 → $33,598
up 5.3%
Population
4,726 → 4,550
down 3.7%
Renter share
66.4% → 65.6%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
8.6% → 13%
+4.4 pts
Median age
31.7 → 41.7
+10.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $31,907 to $33,598 across the same window, up 5.3% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 4,726 to 4,550 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.7% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 8.6% to 13%.

Community

Discussions about South Tucson

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View South Tucson rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Tucson on your salary?

At $1,167/mo, how South Tucson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Tucson rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in South Tucson. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Tucson

About renting in South Tucson, AZ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in South Tucson is $1,167/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $713/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,063/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $847/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,327/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($33,598/yr), South Tucson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Tucson an affordable city for renters?

South Tucson is considered stretched for renters. At $1,167/mo, rent takes approximately 42% of the local median household income ($33,598/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Tucson significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in South Tucson?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,167/mo in South Tucson. The local median household income is $33,598/yr, meaning the typical South Tucson household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Tucson?

Rent in South Tucson has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does South Tucson rent compare to other cities in Arizona?

South Tucson is one of the more affordable cities in Arizona for rent, ranking #51 out of 51 tracked cities at $1,167/mo.

What percentage of South Tucson residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 65.6% of South Tucson households are renters, while 34.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, South Tucson has a strong rental market.

How does South Tucson rent compare to the national average?

South Tucson's median rent of $1,167/mo is $795 (41%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Arizona, it ranks #51 out of 51 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
42%
STRETCHED

At $1,167/mo, rent takes ~42% of South Tucson's median household income ($33,598/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Tucson 42%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
Run the South Tucson affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Tucson, AZ

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