The Tucson metro is home to 1,049,947 people (up 3.0% over five years), with a median household income of $67,929. Typical rent of $1,488/month works out to 26.3% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Tucson's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 26.1% |
| Professional & management | 12.5% |
| Retail trade | 11.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 10.4% |
| Manufacturing | 7.2% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 26.3% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Tucson market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,488/month suggests a household income around $60,000/year. The metro's median household income is $67,929.
By workforce share: Education & health care (26.1%), Professional & management (12.5%), Retail trade (11.9%) (Census ACS 5-year).