Living in Tucson

Tucson offers much in the way of recreation opportunities. The University of Arizona competes in the Big-12 Conference, and many students enjoy attending football and basketball games in season. Excellent and affordable Mexican restaurants abound. Touring musical acts frequently stop in Tucson, and the University of Arizona offers an annual program of visiting performance artists such as the Boston Pops and touring Broadway shows generally only found in much larger cities. Southern Arizona is an outdoor paradise offering 350 sunny days per year and excellent hiking in the surprisingly vibrant Sonoran Desert and surrounding mountains. There are also numerous high-quality golf courses.

For more information on things to do in Tucson, see Visit Tucson.

Tucson’s winter high temperatures average in the 60s. Summers in Southern Arizona are hot, although early mornings and nights are comfortable (low temperatures average in the 70s).

Tucson Cost of Living

The cost of living in Tucson is significantly less than in comparable cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Houston, and Denver. Compare the cost of living in Tucson to your city here.

At the same time, the quality of life in Tucson is high. Some students live near campus, though many choose to live slightly further; popular neighborhoods include the foothills northeast of campus or in residential areas to the east or west of campus. Those coming from major metropolitan areas will find refreshingly little traffic in Tucson, with commutes of 20 minutes or less the norm no matter where you choose to live.