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Active seniors have flocked to Tucson in recent years. Its moderate cost of living, artistic culture, and unparalleled access to outdoor activities make Tucson a sweet spot for seniors looking for their next adventure. While this southern Arizona gem is smaller than other popular retirement cities like Phoenix or Dallas, its robust 55+ population is turning Tucson into the next big thing for senior living.
While A Place for Mom does partner with a few senior apartments, independent living communities in Tucson tend to reign supreme. Senior apartments are similar to independent living communities but usually offer fewer amenities and services. Learning about senior apartments in Tucson can help you make an informed decision about what’s best for you.
In this guide, you’ll find information about A Place for Mom’s partnering senior apartments in Tucson, Arizona. We get our information from our 20+ years of experience in Tucson’s senior living industry, our proprietary local data, and feedback from residents and families.
Read on to find an in-depth look at senior apartments in Tucson, Arizona. We cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision, including the average cost of senior apartments in Tucson, smart ways to pay, local laws and regulations, and what senior apartments in Tucson are like.
Types of care available in Tucson, AZ
Senior Apartments
Overall it ha turned out to be a great community. I've learned how hard they try to keep landscaping looking mowed and bushes clipped and sidewalks cleared. We have get togethers. Bingo is popular. The staff are good about answering questions and getting any repairs done. I've made friends here and realize it just takes time. Good value
I'm very fond of a lot of the care staff here, the dining staff is great and helpful. Apartment size in nice. I like that the community takes us on outings! I have lived in this community over two years!
I would highly recommend this facility! The food quality and imaginative variety is great! The chefs regularly meet with interested residents for feedback. Very Impressive Activities Director, [name removed]. She has all kinds of different groups come in and perform as well as regular field trips.
8468 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85710
I am very pleased with the care my family member is receiving at Brookdale East Tucson. Most importantly, my loved one really loves residing at Brookdale. The staff is kind, caring and provides continuity...
Live With EnthusiasmNestled in the beautiful city of Tucson, Arizona, you will find an assisted living community that gives you more than personal care. This is a place where you can savor restaurant-style dining, spacious and private accommodations, a variety of common rooms for socializing and...
5666 E. Hampton, Tucson, AZ 85712
Pay your rent on time, don't leave a mess for somebody else ie, pick up your dog poop. Don't be afraid to be friendly, you'll meet your neighbors coming and going. We are always happy to answer questions.
The Lakes is an exclusive 55+ adult, senior housing community in sunny Tucson, Pima County, AZ. Tucson is located on the Sonoran desert, and is surrounded by multiple mountain ranges like the Santa Catalina Mountains to the north. It also sits on the Santa Cruz River, a dry river bed most of the...
4654 S 16th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85714
I had a good tour and the representative was thorough with me. However they were too much for my budget so I could not pick them.
Mountain Trace Terrace is an income based HUD property for seniors age 62 or older. We are an independent living facility. All of our units are one bedroom apartments. This property opened in 2008 and is located in South Tucson,Arizona. We do accept one small pet with a fully refundable deposit....
2650 West Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741
We were thrilled to find this facility to accommodate us for a two week respite care term for my mother in Law. [name removed], at Brookdale North showed us the facility and did much to get us in in a...
COMMUNITY VISITS HAPPENING DAILYTucked away in the northwest side of Tucson in the foothills close to Marana, you will discover a warm and welcoming assisted living community that operates more like a family than a traditional senior living home. You will feel right at home as soon as you walk...
5665 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Everyone there is awesome. We should count ourselves fortunate that there are people in this world with the compassion to care for those who are unable to care for themselves. Special thanks to[names...
Inspirations of River Centre, providing Assisted Living to the Tucson area.
6199 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85711
445 N. Wilmot, Tucson, AZ 85711
2323 E 10th Street, Tucson, AZ 85701
Council House is a senior citizen independent living community.
The average cost of a senior apartment in Tucson is $1,041 a month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022 proprietary data.[01] Because senior apartments tend to have fewer amenities and almost no care services, they’re the most affordable senior living option. For example, independent living communities are the closest to senior apartments in terms of care services, and they cost $2,931 a month in Tucson on average.[01]
Senior apartments in Tucson have a similar cost structure to other apartment complexes. Residents pay a monthly rental fee that stays the same throughout the length of the lease, and they pay their utilities and other amenity fees separately. For instance, parking is often an additional monthly fee, as are trash services.
Tucson has a lower cost of living than nearby cities like Phoenix, which makes it a great place for seniors who want their money to go further. Seniors in Tucson also benefit from Arizona’s tax laws. Arizona doesn’t tax Social Security benefits and the state’s income tax rates are low, at 2.55% and 2.98%. Arizona also doesn’t have an inheritance or estate tax, which benefits seniors more than other groups.
The figures in the chart below reflect the average starting costs of senior apartments in Tucson before additional fees for utilities or amenities. These figures provide a cost comparison between Tucson and nearby communities and therefore don’t reflect the total cost of a senior apartment.
41.15 miles from you
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37.73 miles from you
Seniors in Tucson pay for their senior apartments in the same way they would pay for any apartment: using mostly private funds. Depending on their health and income, some seniors in Tucson may be able to access some funds from public resources like veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare. These public means can help you afford health care or home care but won’t cover rent in a senior apartment. However, housing vouchers can help some seniors afford their apartment in Tucson.
Below, you’ll find tried-and-true advice for affording a senior apartment in Tucson. We include detailed information about how to pay for your senior apartment using private savings and public funds like veterans benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and public housing assistance.
Most seniors use their retirement account or other personal savings to pay for their senior apartment. Arizona’s tax laws also keep senior living affordable for seniors, as the state doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or pensions and has lower income tax rates, at 2.55% and 2.98%.
Below are other resources to help you use your private funds to pay for your senior apartment in Tucson.
Senior apartments are regulated in the same way as other apartment complexes. Assisted living, nursing homes, or memory care are licensed through the Arizona Department of Health because they offer personal and medical care services. But because senior apartments don’t offer any care services, they’re only required to follow the same laws and regulations as any other apartment complex.
In fact, senior apartments often have the opposite eligibility requirements than assisted living communities, requiring tenants to be in good health. Senior apartments in Tucson also require tenants to be over 55, or in some cases 64. However, this does not mean that every single resident of a senior apartment in Tucson must be over 55 or 64. Some senior apartments allow younger residents if they live with a senior.
While senior apartments don’t provide personal or medical care, residents of senior apartments in Tucson can, and often do, receive home health care from an independent care provider. This care isn’t coordinated by the apartment complex, and the senior or the family members take on full responsibility for any damages to the apartment caused by the caregiver.
In Tucson, senior apartments are required to follow the same basic regulations as other apartment complexes. These include the following regulations for landlords:
Residents of Tucson’s senior apartments should keep the apartment clean and not knowingly destroy the property. Residents are also expected to do the following:
Arizona outlines the state’s renters and landlord rights in the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. But tenants of Tucson senior apartments should be aware that Arizona has no government agency to handle disputes between a resident and a community. So be sure to read the community guidelines and your contract carefully before moving in to be aware of rules and contractual obligations.
Senior apartments in Tucson follow federal and local guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Unlike assisted living communities or nursing homes, senior apartment don’t have any special masking or quarantine rules.
Pima County posts 15-day case maps and local vaccine rates on the Pima County COVID-19 Data Reports page. You can find case numbers and vaccine rates for your neighborhood by exploring the map.
Tucson is becoming a popular destination for active seniors looking for their next adventure. For many seniors, the city’s features come as a pleasant surprise. Few places offer million-dollar views, world-class cultural activities, and a well-connected senior support network for such a low price tag. In fact, Tucson is one of the most affordable places for a senior to retire in the United States, beating out cities like Phoenix, Denver, and Dallas.
Because Tucson is a hiking hot spot, many seniors look to retire here well before they need assisted living. Senior apartments are a great option for these active adults, because they offer community building and amenities without care services.
In Tucson, independent living communities are far more common than senior apartments and offer some similar basic benefits, including freedom from many of the responsibilities of home ownership. However, A Place for Mom does partner with some senior apartments in Tucson, and these tend to be considerably cheaper than independent living communities. Learn how Tucson’s senior apartments can take you on your next adventure.
Tucson’s senior apartments resemble other apartment complexes in Tucson. Most have over 50 residents living in one- or two-bedroom apartments. You can expect your Tucson senior apartment to have amenities like a fitness center, a pool, and a club house for social events. Some even have amenities like an in-house spa and a dog park.
Senior apartments in Tucson are designed with seniors in mind. Wheelchair ramps, elevators, and accessible cabinetry are the norm. Seniors can expect on-call maintenance to fix any appliances, and all senior apartments have security staff.
Because Tucson is a smaller city surrounded by preserved natural areas, senior apartments tend to be on larger plots with nice views. Some have walking paths or are near hiking trails. While they don’t have the same level of amenities or activity schedules as independent living communities, our partnering senior apartments have grassroots activity programs. Community newsletters, birding clubs, and regular social events are common. And if the community doesn’t offer your favorite activity, you can start your own club!
Senior apartments are the cheapest living option for seniors in Tucson in part because many accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Tenants pay rent monthly, and, in most cases, utilities are paid separately. That said, a few apartments do include some utilities in the monthly fee (often Wi-Fi). Unlike other apartment complexes that often charge an entire month’s rent as a deposit, senior apartments in Tucson usually charge no more than $300 for a deposit.
The Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) is a robust senior advocacy group based in Tucson, and it’s helped make Tucson a supportive place for all seniors. Seniors can access reliable benefits counseling for Medicaid, Medicare, and other Social Security benefits. The PCOA also provides meals to seniors in need and can help connect you to eviction prevention programs, transportation, free classes, and more.
Tucson itself is an approachable city for many seniors who tire of the concrete jungle and busy intersections of large cities. While it does have urban areas, much of the city is suburban, and the wide open spaces and nature walks are less than a 15-minute drive from just about any location in town.
Green Valley, an unincorporated community featuring a collection of senior-friendly subdivisions, is one of the most comfortable places to retire in the United States — and it’s only 30 minutes south of Tucson. About 80% of Green Valley’s population is over 65, but it’s much larger than most other retirement communities. With 22,000 residents, Green Valley has its own economy, hospital systems, parks, and schools. It’s quiet and safe enough that plenty of people drive golf carts instead of cars.
Due to the high senior population, Green Valley has as many, if not more, senior apartment options than Tucson. Seniors in Green Valley can also rest assured that they’ll be able to find great assisted living or memory care as their needs change.
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Approximately 82,580 seniors over 65 currently live in Tucson, Arizona, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
About 15% of Tucson’s population is over 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Roughly 80% of Green Valley, Arizona, residents are over 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
For a city of around 500,000 people, Tucson has an excellent health care system. This is due, in part, to the University of Arizona’s ability to bring in local talent. The high number of seniors in Tucson also lends itself to a robust health care system.
According to U.S. News and World Report, TMC is the best hospital in Tucson and is one of the best hospitals in Arizona. It’s especially high performing in geriatrics and cardiology procedures.
5301 E. Grant Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: 520-327-5461
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This moderately sized hospital is one of the best in Tucson. According to U.S. News and World Report, NMC has good outcomes for its procedures. It’s highly rated for seven different procedures, including prostate cancer surgery, heart attack care, and geriatrics.
6200 N. La Cholla Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85741
Phone: 520-742-9000
Find a provider
Banner – University Medical Center South is a nonprofit research hospital on the University of Arizona’s campus. This hospital provides compassionate, competent care and is highly rated for cancer procedures, cardiology, and geriatrics, among other specialties.
2800 E. Ajo Way
Tucson, AZ 85713
Phone: 520-874-2000
Find a provider
Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital is a for-profit, private hospital with almost 500 beds. It offers specialty care, such as ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and acute care, as well as general in-patient hospital care.
350 N. Wilmont Road
Tucson, AZ 85711
Phone: 520-873-3000
Find a provider
Like most Western U.S. locales, Tucson is a driving city. Most people get around using a car, and senior apartments in Tucson don’t typically offer transportation for residents. However, all of our senior apartments in Tucson do provide covered parking.
For seniors without a car, Tucson does offer some public transportation through the Sun Tran System, which has a bus service, a shuttle, and vans for disabled individuals. It’s considered a senior-friendly source of public transportation because it has senior-specific seats directly behind the driver and lifts for people with limited mobility.
The Sun Tran system also offers a class to teach seniors how to use this service. Seniors can sign up for this class by calling 520-206-8881 or by going to the senior page of the Sun Tran website.
Walkscore.com rates cities based on their walkability, bike-friendliness, and public transportation. Tucson received the following scores, each out of 100:
43
35
66
There’s no shortage of activities for seniors in Tucson, and most take place in the great outdoors. Whether you want watch the sunset from Saguaro National Park, try some of the best Mexican food in the United States, or attend a production in an Old West theater, Tucson can deliver.
Tucson is set in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, which stretches throughout the Southwest. The Sonoran Desert Museum is the best place to learn about Tucson’s vibrant natural surroundings. The museum is mostly outdoors and includes over 98 acres of pristine desert landscape. On especially hot days, you can go inside in the museum’s art gallery, gift shop, and museum of natural history.
Seniors enjoy discounted admissions, and most of the museum — including the outdoor areas — is wheelchair accessible. Visitors can rent wheelchairs at the museum for a small fee, and the museum can arrange special tours that accommodate visitors with visual or hearing impairments.
Tucson is one of the only cities surrounded by a national park. Saguaro National Park hugs three sides of Tucson, which means it’s incredibly easy to get out and enjoy the park’s natural beauty.
Named for the massive cacti that grow in abundance throughout the park, Saguaro National Park is a great destination for hikers of all levels. The Signal Hill hiking trail will take intrepid explorers to ancient petroglyphs from the Hohokam people. For seniors who’d rather stay in the car, the Cactus Forest Drive takes visitors through the most scenic parts of the park and is an especially good way to see one of Tucson’s famous purple sunsets.
Saguaro National Park is also one of the top areas to experience the starry sky. As a Dark Sky Zone, it has low levels light pollution and skies are often clear, which means it’s possible to see the Milky Way almost every night. Outside of the park, the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort throws stargazing parties, and the Steward Observatory from the University of Arizona offers educational events.
The Gaslight Theater is a local mainstay for its family-friendly and affordable productions. In an old-timey saloon setting, visitors enjoy nightly performances of classic and contemporary shows. Many of Tucson’s local senior centers arrange visits to the Gaslight Theater at least once a year. You get free popcorn with your ticket, and meals are available to purchase.
The Pima Air and Space Museum is one of Tucson’s main attractions. With over 400 rare and significant aircraft, it’s especially popular with local veterans, and seniors get discounted admission. Visitors can explore WWII planes and presidential aircrafts or dive into the experience with a flight simulator. It’s a large museum set mostly outside on a multi-acre field, so tram tours are available every day to drive visitors through the airplanes and helicopters.
Tucson has a fascinating history as one of the only cities in the United States that has been under the control of Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, and the United States. Mission San Xavier del Bac is part of this storied past, having been built by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s, and it now sits on land managed by the Tohono O’odham Nation. This historic church is free to visit and makes a great afternoon trip just outside the city.
Tucson has exceptional senior programs, and new residents should get their Senior Activity Card as soon as possible. It costs a small fee but provides free access to all of the senior centers’ activities, classes, and events for the year. Almost all of Tucson’s senior centers have a full kitchen, a game room, a gym, and computer access.
Senior center activities change every week, but some common activities include yoga or tai chi, social hours, and beginner Spanish classes. The senior centers also put on a yearly Senior Olympic Day. Sign up with friends to participate in the horseshoe toss, leisure walking, or archery, or you can cheer on from the sidelines. You can sign up on the Senior Olympic homepage during the enrollment period.
It would be remiss to talk about Tucson without mentioning its long and storied culinary culture. Tucson was UNESCO’s very first City of Gastronomy named in the United States. It received this title because of its concentration of exceptional restaurants that carry on historical culinary traditions rooted in the desert landscape. You can find official restaurants and information about Tucson’s culinary past on Tucson’s City of Gastronomy website.
The Lakes Apartments, Mountain Trace Terrace and Council House Apartments are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Tucson, AZ. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Tucson is 1,928 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Green Valley CDP [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Tucson city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Tucson city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age of householder by household income in the past 12 months (B19037): Tucson city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
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