Don’t just come to Tucson to experience some of the tastiest cuisine, its jammin’ music festivals, and/or its mega outdoor scene; come to “America’s Biggest Small Town” to experience some of the best places to live in the state as well. And if you’re not sure where those are located, take a look below at HomeSnacks’ list of the best neighborhoods in Tucson for 2024.
To get the most accurate list, we had to do a little research. First, we looked at the latest census report for the median income levels and median home prices for each one of Tucson’s 128 neighborhoods. We then stuck those two variables into a formula that calculated the ratio of income level to home price, which in turn ranked each neighborhood based on what place was the best deal. However, it didn’t end there. We also looked at things that people find important when looking for their forever home: like, safety, unemployment rates, and cool stuff to do–we call this a neighborhood’s SnackAbility score. Let’s just say, if you haven’t thought about moving to one of Tucson’s best neighborhoods, you should start.
If you need to live close to The University of Arizona, there are homes on S. Tucson Blvd in the Broadmoor Broadway neighborhood that will only cost you around $186,552. If you need to live close to the Mister Car Wash Headquarter — because you just accepted a job with the third largest employer in Tucson — then, the Saguaro Miraflores neighborhood should suit you just fine. And if you need to live close to the Tucson International Airport the Rita Ranch has some pretty great deals and the five-alarm sunsets here aren’t half bad, either.
But, if you want to know the Tucson neighborhoods that are meeting and exceeding their community goals year after year, you’re going to have to keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Did we mention that Tucson is a hub of activity and you can reach any one of the city’s six distinct districts using the Sun Link Streetcar? Or, that there are 45 golf courses in or near The Old Pueblo? Ok, we’ve listed so many reasons why you should choose Tucson as your forever home; now, it’s up to you to decide what neighborhood speaks to you.
So, want to know what Tucson neighborhood ranked number one? According to our calculations, that would be Houghton.
Take a look at the list below to see how Tucson’s other great neighborhoods ranked; and if you don’t find what you’re looking for there, the rest of the rankings are just a couple clicks away.
For more Arizona reading, check out:
The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Tucson
Population: 2,583
Median Home Value: $352,000 (Fourth best)
Median Income: $86,571 (Eighth best)
More on Houghton: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,196
Median Home Value: $227,000 (3best)
Median Income: $94,167 (Third best)
More on Rillito: Data | Real Estate
Population: 4,032
Median Home Value: $223,000 (33rd best)
Median Income: $87,636 (Seventh best)
More on Eastside: Data | Real Estate
Population: 2,055
Median Home Value: $317,933 (11th best)
Median Income: $59,231 (27th best)
More on Old Fort Lowell: Data | Real Estate
Population: 3,195
Median Home Value: $265,167 (19th best)
Median Income: $90,547 (Fifth best)
More on Civano: Data | Real Estate
Population: 3,311
Median Home Value: $163,800 (68th best)
Median Income: $75,206 (16th best)
More on Harrison East-South: Data | Real Estate
Population: 17,981
Median Home Value: $220,960 (35th best)
Median Income: $93,062 (Fourth best)
More on Rita Ranch: Data | Real Estate
Population: 2,164
Median Home Value: $248,700 (25th best)
Median Income: $88,510 (Sixth best)
More on Mesquite Ranch: Data | Real Estate
Population: 160
Median Home Value: $216,900 (38th best)
Median Income: $76,653 (14th best)
More on Rosemont East: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,581
Median Home Value: $326,250 (Ninth best)
Median Income: $66,392 (19th best)
More on Broadmoor-Broadway: Data | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Tucson, AZ Neighborhoods In 2024
To rank the best neighborhoods in Tucson, we had to determine what criteria define “best” and then apply Saturday Night Science to it.
Using FBI crime, Census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:
- High incomes
- Low unemployment rates
- Low crime
- High home prices
- High population densities (A proxy for things to do)
We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 128 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.
And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index, the “Best City Neighborhood In Tucson.” We’re lookin’ at you, Houghton.
Read on below to learn more about what it’s like to live in the best places Tucson, Arizona has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city, from best to worst.
We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Tucson.
Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Tucson
If you’re measuring the neighborhoods in Tucson where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.
The best neighborhoods in Tucson are Houghton, Rillito, Eastside, Old Fort Lowell, Civano, Harrison East-South, Rita Ranch, Mesquite Ranch, Rosemont East, and Broadmoor-Broadway.
As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Tucson aren’t all good. San Ignacio Yaqui takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Tucson.
The worst neighborhoods in Tucson are San Ignacio Yaqui, Wakefield, Barrio Blue Moon, Fairgrounds, and El Rio Acres.
We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.
For more Arizona reading, check out:
Best Neighborhoods To Live In Tucson For 2024 Detailed Data
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houghton | 2,583 | $352,000 | $86,571 |
| 2 | Rillito | 1,196 | $227,000 | $94,167 |
| 3 | Eastside | 4,032 | $223,000 | $87,636 |
| 4 | Old Fort Lowell | 2,055 | $317,933 | $59,231 |
| 5 | Civano | 3,195 | $265,167 | $90,547 |
| 6 | Harrison East-South | 3,311 | $163,800 | $75,206 |
| 7 | Rita Ranch | 17,981 | $220,960 | $93,062 |
| 8 | Mesquite Ranch | 2,164 | $248,700 | $88,510 |
| 9 | Rosemont East | 160 | $216,900 | $76,653 |
| 10 | Broadmoor-Broadway | 1,581 | $326,250 | $66,392 |
| 11 | Samos | 1,225 | $252,125 | $45,772 |
| 12 | South Harrison | 5,240 | $179,600 | $61,133 |
| 13 | Campbell-Grant | 810 | $228,800 | $57,438 |
| 14 | Ironwood Ridge | 188 | $205,700 | $82,206 |
| 15 | Highland Vista Cinco Via | 655 | $216,900 | $76,653 |
| 16 | Sam Hughes | 4,026 | $353,600 | $63,077 |
| 17 | Bear Canyon | 1,642 | $386,625 | $84,854 |
| 18 | Dietz | 6,818 | $124,867 | $48,456 |
| 19 | Blenman-Elm | 3,532 | $266,650 | $61,471 |
| 20 | Catalina Vista-Blenman-Elm | 118 | $328,600 | $59,157 |
| 21 | Midvale Park | 15,704 | $147,564 | $50,931 |
| 22 | Harlan Heights | 2,215 | $153,700 | $47,761 |
| 23 | El Conquistador | 40 | $327,700 | $110,357 |
| 24 | Prince Tucson | 2,295 | $250,000 | $52,954 |
| 25 | Poets Square | 1,040 | $234,567 | $68,613 |
| 26 | Desert Palms Park | 333 | $243,800 | $77,371 |
| 27 | Mountain First Avenue | 1,857 | $240,833 | $34,106 |
| 28 | Peter Howell | 2,300 | $248,750 | $55,530 |
| 29 | El Montevideo | 86 | $327,700 | $110,357 |
| 30 | Cherry Avenue | 9,562 | $97,100 | $43,818 |
| 31 | North University | 2,388 | $319,833 | $42,558 |
| 32 | Pie Allen | 954 | $216,100 | $26,903 |
| 33 | Colonia Del Valle | 1,870 | $177,950 | $57,800 |
| 34 | Vista Del Monte | 1,548 | $164,350 | $39,434 |
| 35 | Sewell | 1,428 | $298,450 | $38,814 |
| 36 | Toumey Park | 1,635 | $157,600 | $52,861 |
| 37 | El Presidio | 552 | $337,200 | $60,758 |
| 38 | Northwest | 958 | $204,300 | $42,197 |
| 39 | Oak Flower | 2,292 | $178,800 | $27,340 |
| 40 | A Mountain | 2,502 | $116,700 | $49,340 |
| 41 | Broadway-Northeast | 1,185 | $193,600 | $83,750 |
| 42 | Rosemont West | 1,500 | $178,200 | $43,254 |
| 43 | Jefferson Park | 3,320 | $261,000 | $33,336 |
| 44 | Miramonte | 3,213 | $280,600 | $37,324 |
| 45 | Rincon Heights | 2,295 | $212,233 | $39,104 |
| 46 | Lakeside Park | 5,070 | $137,725 | $49,232 |
| 47 | Starr Pass | 1,195 | $489,800 | $76,922 |
| 48 | Millville | 759 | $215,000 | $38,942 |
| 49 | Terra Del Sol | 4,924 | $149,200 | $45,426 |
| 50 | Iron Horse | 243 | $215,550 | $35,330 |
| 51 | Richland Heights East | 1,385 | $292,350 | $38,418 |
| 52 | Groves Lincoln Park | 6,265 | $153,550 | $58,873 |
| 53 | Tucson Park West | 3,752 | $152,700 | $29,854 |
| 54 | Drexel Park | 2,250 | $114,000 | $28,472 |
| 55 | Mitman | 1,507 | $139,300 | $61,448 |
| 56 | Glenn Heights | 182 | $221,500 | $42,543 |
| 57 | El Gheko | 2,453 | $186,150 | $48,534 |
| 58 | Corbett | 6,533 | $126,600 | $46,554 |
| 59 | West University | 4,495 | $315,600 | $30,374 |
| 60 | Palo Verde | 5,438 | $218,050 | $42,521 |
| 61 | Country Glenn | 1,179 | $160,267 | $47,580 |
| 62 | Arroyo Chico | 2,003 | $192,300 | $61,047 |
| 63 | Cabrini | 1,664 | $136,800 | $39,068 |
| 64 | Thunderbird Heights-Wilmot Desert | 886 | $150,700 | $39,635 |
| 65 | Stella Mann | 4,864 | $140,175 | $39,739 |
| 66 | Armory Park | 1,259 | $197,367 | $44,402 |
| 67 | Avondale | 1,662 | $195,600 | $19,694 |
| 68 | Wilshire Heights | 225 | $191,600 | $68,693 |
| 69 | Julia Keen | 4,304 | $112,133 | $45,917 |
| 70 | Menlo Park | 5,659 | $217,700 | $44,291 |
| 71 | Barrio San Antonio | 283 | $187,600 | $41,356 |
| 72 | San Gabriel | 1,315 | $225,633 | $45,353 |
| 73 | Bravo Park Lane | 2,154 | $128,167 | $48,891 |
| 74 | Dunbar Spring | 938 | $315,333 | $39,788 |
| 75 | La Madera | 1,297 | $162,400 | $47,580 |
| 76 | Hedrick Acres | 3,105 | $180,950 | $39,960 |
| 77 | Udall Park | 127 | $173,600 | $50,238 |
| 78 | San Clemente | 767 | $261,250 | $46,557 |
| 79 | El Cortez | 342 | $139,700 | $42,197 |
| 80 | Richland Heights West | 685 | $165,600 | $41,071 |
| 81 | Barrio Viejo | 687 | $300,800 | $54,131 |
| 82 | Keeling | 5,305 | $152,680 | $35,846 |
| 83 | Enchanted Hills | 2,019 | $134,800 | $34,238 |
| 84 | Sunnyside | 14,720 | $108,200 | $38,066 |
| 85 | Limberlost | 3,236 | $154,433 | $28,139 |
| 86 | Western Hills | 1,172 | $81,500 | $31,838 |
| 87 | Swan Way Park | 1,075 | $168,350 | $39,836 |
| 88 | Miles East West | 1,339 | $175,400 | $34,372 |
| 89 | Naylor | 1,349 | $104,800 | $28,719 |
| 90 | South Park | 3,265 | $152,667 | $39,027 |
| 91 | Elvira | 8,246 | $117,300 | $42,972 |
| 92 | Desert Aire-Loma Linda | 415 | $178,200 | $29,722 |
| 93 | Rancho Buena | 4,518 | $68,050 | $37,246 |
| 94 | Myers | 5,381 | $129,967 | $37,594 |
| 95 | Barrio Centro | 516 | $115,100 | $57,975 |
| 96 | Westside Development | 3,905 | $150,950 | $65,522 |
| 97 | North Dodge | 2,235 | $155,700 | $25,780 |
| 98 | Feldman’s | 2,303 | $215,467 | $30,092 |
| 99 | Santa Cruz Southwest | 2,751 | $69,675 | $44,447 |
| 100 | Las Vistas | 2,674 | $99,000 | $50,516 |
| 101 | Barrio Santa Rosa | 753 | $191,650 | $35,644 |
| 102 | Parkway Terrace | 138 | $115,100 | $57,975 |
| 103 | Roberts | 1,999 | $155,150 | $31,568 |
| 104 | Ocotillo Oracle | 1,043 | $181,925 | $27,875 |
| 105 | Silvercroft | 426 | $99,700 | $42,750 |
| 106 | Flowing Wells | 14,945 | $63,217 | $35,378 |
| 107 | Amphi | 6,670 | $150,233 | $28,286 |
| 108 | Campus Farm | 6,005 | $161,943 | $36,218 |
| 109 | Barrio Anita | 220 | $174,400 | $47,143 |
| 110 | Santa Rita Park | 548 | $147,200 | $35,568 |
| 111 | Doolen-Fruitvale | 1,537 | $127,833 | $41,610 |
| 112 | Midtown | 6,862 | $109,883 | $34,518 |
| 113 | Miracle Manor | 3,143 | $92,200 | $25,816 |
| 114 | Saint Cyrils | 2,346 | $85,600 | $30,441 |
| 115 | Sunset Villa | 746 | $125,750 | $36,344 |
| 116 | Dodge Flower | 2,150 | $114,850 | $28,238 |
| 117 | Barrio Hollywood | 2,776 | $129,950 | $31,901 |
| 118 | Shaheen Estates | 227 | $243,600 | $40,682 |
| 119 | Mortimore | 319 | $126,800 | $49,854 |
| 120 | Rose | 2,878 | $117,900 | $29,352 |
| 121 | Mountain View | 1,478 | $141,300 | $34,322 |
| 122 | Alvernon Heights | 477 | $154,400 | $29,967 |
| 123 | Balboa Heights | 1,418 | $97,600 | $19,514 |
| 124 | El Rio Acres | 2,115 | $94,500 | $42,110 |
| 125 | Fairgrounds | 2,147 | $98,450 | $43,921 |
| 126 | Barrio Blue Moon | 352 | $126,500 | $30,357 |
| 127 | Wakefield | 3,918 | $98,300 | $31,228 |
| 128 | San Ignacio Yaqui | 471 | $83,950 | $27,521 |
