City comparison
No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 156 in Tucson, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 146, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tucson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco.
The income gap between Tucson and Frisco is significant: $57,073 median household versus $150,212. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,145 in Tucson and $2,014 in Frisco.
This is a genuine split. Tucson wins on cost of living and Frisco wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Tucson and Frisco are 822 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Tucson to $2,014 a month in Frisco, up $869 a month (76%).
Median household income goes from $57,073 in Tucson to $150,212 in Frisco, up $93,139 (163%).
The crime index goes from 156 in Tucson to 43 in Frisco, down 113 points (72%).
The move
Frisco and Tucson are 822 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $1,145 a month in Tucson, down $869 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $57,073 in Tucson, down $93,139 (62%).
The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 156 in Tucson, up 113 points (263%).
Tucson, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Frisco, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tucson and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Tucson rent is 43% cheaper than Frisco
Tucson
Winner$1,145/mo
Frisco
$2,014/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Tucson versus $2,014 in Frisco, so Tucson is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $869/month back in your pocket ($10,428/year). Over five years that's $52,140 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 Frisco, 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 Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
163% higher
Frisco's median income is 163% higher than Tucson
Tucson
$57,073
Frisco
Winner$150,212
Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $57,073 in Tucson, so typical pay runs 163% higher in Frisco (about $93,139 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, Frisco 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
72% lower crime
Frisco's crime index is 72% lower than Tucson
Tucson
156 (100 = avg)
Frisco
Winner43 (100 = avg)
Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 156 in Tucson (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 72% lower in Frisco. 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, Frisco is the easier city. Tucson can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tucson and Frisco are about even on typical weather.
Tucson
77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Frisco
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tucson averages about 77°F (84°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Tucson sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tucson
Tucson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 43% 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Frisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 163% higher here ($150,212). Start with Frisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 72% lower than Tucson (43 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Frisco: Frisco scores 86/100 versus 46/100 in Tucson, with typical rent at $2,014 versus $1,145. I would vet the exact ZIP in Tucson before trading 40 safety points for housing savings.
Tucson rent at $1,145/month is still below Frisco's $2,014, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,145 in Tucson and $2,014 in Frisco.
If safety drives your move, Frisco is the stronger match (86/100 safety versus 46/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Tucson, treat $1,145/month rent and $57,073 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tucson and Frisco, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
