The minimum wage in Tucson is $15.15/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $20.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Tucson.
The minimum wage in Tucson is the Arizona statewide rate of $15.15/hour. Tucson voters approved a local minimum wage under the Tucson Minimum Wage Act that is currently aligned with the Arizona statewide rate and indexed to inflation each January. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Tucson. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,150/month and a cost-of-living index of 91 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Tucson, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.15 | $31,512 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $40.50 | $84,240 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $13,800 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Pima County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Tucson.
Tucson is the second-largest city in Arizona, home to the University of Arizona, a major aerospace and defense presence led by Raytheon and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, optics and astronomy research, and a growing logistics corridor toward the Mexico border.
| Local Metric | Tucson (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 545,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Pima County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 91 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $20.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.15/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,450/month |
| Median home price | $330,000 |
| Median household income | $55,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.7% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.63% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Tucson is the Arizona statewide rate of $15.15/hour. Tucson voters approved a local minimum wage under the Tucson Minimum Wage Act that is currently aligned with the Arizona statewide rate and indexed to inflation each January. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $31,512 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Pima County needs about $20.00/hour (roughly $41,600/year) to cover basic costs. That is $4.85/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $40.50/hour.
At $15.15/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $31,512 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $23,634/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Tucson is about $1,150/month, or $13,800/year.
Tucson voters approved a local minimum wage under the Tucson Minimum Wage Act that is currently aligned with the Arizona statewide rate and indexed to inflation each January.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Arizona sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor and adjusts it each January for inflation, so that higher rate applies in Tucson instead of the federal $7.25.