City comparison
No. Tucson's crime index is 156 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 146 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tucson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Tucson is significant: $94,718 median household versus $57,073. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,145 in Tucson.
Tucson is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Denver makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Tucson is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Tucson at $1,145 average has pockets that run $945 and others at $1,545: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Denver and Tucson are 616 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,145 a month in Tucson, down $686 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $57,073 in Tucson, down $37,645 (40%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 156 in Tucson, down 115 points (42%).
The move
Tucson and Denver are 616 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Tucson to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $686 a month (60%).
Median household income goes from $57,073 in Tucson to $94,718 in Denver, up $37,645 (66%).
The crime index goes from 156 in Tucson to 271 in Denver, up 115 points (74%).
Denver, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tucson, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Denver and Tucson? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Tucson rent is 37% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Tucson
Winner$1,145/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Tucson versus $1,831 in Denver, so Tucson is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $686/month back in your pocket ($8,232/year). Over five years that's $41,160 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Denver, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Tucson is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Tucson? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
66% higher
Denver's median income is 66% higher than Tucson
Denver
Winner$94,718
Tucson
$57,073
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $57,073 in Tucson, so typical pay runs 66% higher in Denver (about $37,645 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Denver is the stronger labor market on paper. Tucson can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
42% lower crime
Tucson's crime index is 42% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Tucson
Winner156 (100 = avg)
Tucson's crime index is 156 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 42% lower in Tucson. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Tucson is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Tucson weather is 28% more comfortable than Denver
Denver
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Tucson
Winner72°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Denver averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Tucson averages about 72°F (78°F highs). Denver averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tucson sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tucson scores 28% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Denver if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 66% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Tucson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Tucson if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Tucson if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (72°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 28%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Tucson is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Tucson is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 42% lower than Denver (156 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Tucson at $1,145/month versus $1,831 in Denver ($686 apart). Denver median income is $94,718 against $57,073 in Tucson, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Tucson rent at $1,145/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Denver and 46/100 in Tucson.
Pick Tucson when shaving $686 off rent at $1,145/month is the priority. Otherwise, Denver's case rests on $1,831/month rent with $94,718 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Tucson, plus other cities in CO and AZ.
