FIRE Number for Tucson, United States
United States
Desert Sunshine, Low Costs, and 350 Days of Blue Sky
Tucson is one of the most affordable cities in the American West, offering stunning Sonoran Desert landscapes, a UNESCO-designated food scene, and over 350 days of sunshine per year. Arizona has a flat income tax rate that keeps more money in your pocket, and housing costs are remarkably low compared to Phoenix and other Sun Belt cities. For FIRE retirees who love warm weather and wide-open spaces, Tucson is a hidden gem.
Lean FIRE, FIRE, and Fat FIRE for Tucson
Needed to retire here is the portfolio that, in a historical backtest, would have lasted your retirement at your chosen confidence and length. Status is the verdict for your portfolio. The 4% rule benchmark is shown underneath each figure for reference only. Cost estimates are for a one-person household — adjust household size below.
Costs scale by category, not a flat multiple — housing is largely shared; food and healthcare scale per person.
Enter your real monthly healthcare cost and we'll use it across all lifestyle tiers — handy for VA/TriCare (enter 0) or when your ACA cost differs from our estimate.
| Lifestyle | Needed to retire here | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lean FIRE | $726K | $2,420/mo |
| FIRE | $1.28M | $4,260/mo |
| Fat FIRE | $4.72M | $15,750/mo |
Cost of Living Breakdown for Tucson
Cost and FIRE figures are for a one-person household — adjust household size in the controls above.
Lean FIRE Lifestyle
$726KA cheapest-acceptable studio or older one-bedroom near midtown or the University, cooking at home most nights supplemented by cheap and excellent taquerias, and a paid-off car. Tucson's low rents keep this Lean budget unusually comfortable for a US metro — housing barely tops $950. Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Park provide free outdoor recreation year-round. The main budget watches are summer A/C and the ACA Silver premium, which stays low only if annual income is kept under the 2026 ~$62,600 subsidy cutoff (Arizona has no state subsidy).
FIRE Lifestyle
$1.28MA high-quality one-bedroom or small home in walkable Sam Hughes or West University, regular fine dining at Tucson's best restaurants, and a late-model SUV. A resort or country club membership, premium coverage padded near the ~$62,600 ACA subsidy cutoff, and regular road trips to Sedona and the Grand Canyon are all within budget. Tucson's low costs mean this tier stretches far — a genuinely comfortable, affluent life in a desirable area.
Fat FIRE Lifestyle
$4.72MA Catalina Foothills estate with mountain views, household help several days a week, and occasional private-chef evenings alongside the city's best restaurants, plus top-tier concierge care with Mayo Clinic access up in Scottsdale. Travel is first class, a premium SUV and car service handle getting around, and dining out never involves checking the bill. Tucson's low cost of living makes this budget genuinely lavish — roughly $189k a year — with enough margin for a second property, year-round travel, and steady giving to conservation and arts organizations.
Retirement Confidence
The 4% rule is a great starting point. Here we go a step further and test your plan against real market history.
Enter your portfolio on the homepage to backtest a retirement in Tucson against market history.
Backtest detail
How this is calculated
This is a real historical backtest. We run your plan through every retirement-length window in US market history (1871–2022): a 75% stock / 25% bond portfolio, rebalanced annually, with withdrawals raised each year for that period's actual inflation. The success rate is the share of those historical start years in which the money lasted the full length without running out.
Your confidence level sets the bar: at Balanced (90%), a survival rate of 90% or more reads "You can retire here", within 10 points below is "Close - worth a closer look", and lower is "Not quite yet". The same level sizes the "Needed to retire here" target. Retirement length also drives it - early retirees planning 40–50+ years see lower survival than the 30-year baseline.
Healthcare, Visa & City Overview
MST (UTC-7, no daylight saving time)
USD
English / Spanish widely spoken
70°F / 21°C
150+ Mbps average
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Frequently Asked Questions About Retiring in Tucson
What is the FIRE Number for Tucson, United States?
The FIRE Number for Tucson ranges from $726K (Lean FIRE lifestyle) to $4.72M (Fat FIRE lifestyle). A FIRE retirement requires a portfolio of approximately $1.28M, based on estimated monthly costs of $4,260 and a 4% safe withdrawal rate.
How much does it cost to retire in Tucson?
Monthly living costs in Tucson range from $2,420 (Lean FIRE) to $4,260 (FIRE), covering housing (market rent), dining, groceries, healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and utilities.
What is healthcare like in Tucson for retirees?
Healthcare in Tucson costs approximately $450 to $600/month depending on coverage level. Typical coverage at the Lean FIRE budget: A subsidized Silver plan on Arizona's ACA exchange, assuming annual income stays under the 2026 subsidy cutoff of about $62,600 for a single person; Pima County is one of Arizona's cheaper markets, though without the subsidy the full price runs about $800 a month. Priced for an early retiree aged 45-55; older retirees should budget more.
What is the weather like in Tucson?
Hot desert with mild winters; summers exceed 100°F but humidity is very low. The average temperature is 70°F / 21°C.
How safe is Tucson for retirees?
Retirees should exercise normal caution in Tucson, scoring 5 out of 10 in our safety ratings.
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