What is Tucson's cost-of-living index?

Tucson's composite cost-of-living index is about 90, where the US average equals 100. That means overall costs in Tucson run roughly 10% below the national average, driven mainly by lower housing costs.

Why is Tucson cheaper than the national average?

Housing is the biggest factor — Tucson home prices and rents sit well below the US average. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare are closer to average, which keeps the composite index around 90.

How do I compare Tucson to another city?

Enter the other city's cost-of-living index in the comparison field. The tool scales your income by the ratio of the two indices to show how much you would need there to keep the same standard of living.

What does purchasing power mean here?

Purchasing power expresses your Tucson income in average-cost (index 100) dollars. Because Tucson is below average, your money stretches further, so the purchasing-power figure is higher than your nominal income.

Are these index numbers exact?

No. Cost-of-living indices are survey-based estimates that vary by source and update over time. Use them for directional comparisons rather than precise budgeting.

Tucson Cost-of-Living Index

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Tucson cost of living at a glance

Tucson’s composite cost-of-living index is about 90, meaning the city sits roughly 10% below the US national average of 100. This tool turns that index into practical figures: your purchasing power and the salary you would need elsewhere.

How it works

Two simple ratios drive the results, using the Tucson composite index of 90:

purchasing_power      = income * (100 / 90)
equivalent_in_target  = income * (target_index / 90)

Category indices (housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare) show where Tucson is cheaper or pricier than average.

Example

A $60,000 income in Tucson has the purchasing power of about 60000 * (100 / 90) ≈ $66,667 in an average-cost city. To match that lifestyle in a city with index 120, you would need about 60000 * (120 / 90) = $80,000.

Notes

These indices are estimates based on cost surveys and shift over time. Housing is the dominant driver of Tucson’s below-average score; other categories sit closer to the national average. Treat the numbers as directional guidance.