Tucson Is Tops
Arizona’s 10 Safest Cities
Arizona saw the nation’s most significant decrease in violent crime and the second-most significant decrease in property crime year over year. According to this year’s SafeWise survey, Arizona’s crime statistics fell below the national average in every category. To determine the safest cities in Arizona, Safewise reviewed the most up-to-date FBI crime report statistics and population data. Oro Valley #2 and Sahuarita #3 were listed as two of the ten safest cities. https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-arizona/#:~:text=Property%20crime%20incidents%20dipped%20from,ninth%2Dlowest%20property%20crime%20rate (March 2023)
2023 Most Diverse Cities in America
The Niche Most Diverse Places ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall diversity of an area. This grade takes into account key indicators of a location’s demographic composition, including the levels of variance in race, age, and income levels among residents. Tucson ranked #92 and Phoenix #57 out of 228. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/most-diverse-cities/ (March 2023)
2023 Best Arizona Golf Courses
The top golf courses in Arizona have been voted and rated by ArizonaGolfer.com golfers. Each year, users rate the courses. Courses making the list in Tucson include: The Ritz-Carlton #3, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon #11, La Paloma Country Club #12, Sewailo #13, Omni Tucson National Resort #17, and Star Pass #18. https://www.arizonagolfer.com/golfcourses/topgolfcourses.cfm (March 2023)
Tucson Makes the NY Times “52 Places to Go in 2023” List
The New York Times awarded Tucson the #15 spot of its “52 Places to Go in 2023” list, placing it ahead of amazing spots like Fukuoka, Japan; Guadalajara, Mexico; and Madrid, Spain. Tucson was described as a “rebounding center of art and adobe with centuries-old ties to Mexico.” The article featured Tucson’s Barrio Viejo, which is slated to receive a National Historic Landmark designation this year. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/travel/52-places-travel-2023.html (January 2023)
Economic Growth Ensures Arizona Will Have Lowest Flat Tax in 2023
The Goldwater Institute relayed that the Arizona state income tax rate beginning January 1, 2023 will be a flat 2.5%, one year earlier than originally anticipated. The state is forecast to have a budget surplus of more than $4 billion by 2024, and the Arizona economy is ranked #1 for economic performance and #3 in economic outlook among all 50 states according to the “American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Rich States, Poor States” report. https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/new-year-new-tax-rate-goldwaters-flat-tax-reform-takes-effect-to-kick-off-2023/ (January 2023)
Arizona Restaurants in Top 100 Places to Eat in US
In Yelp’s annual list honoring eateries across the US, four Arizona restaurants made the list of the top places to eat in 2023. Yelp looked at reviews received by businesses while considering both the ratings and the volume of reviews to determine the list. Restaurants on the list include: Tumerico #8 and Buendia Breakfast and Lunch Café #26 in Tucson, De Babel #39 in Scottsdale, and Cocina Madrigal #57 in Phoenix. https://www.yelp.com/article/yelps-top-100-us-restaurants-2023 (January 2023)
Best Cities for an Active Lifestyle
WalletHub ranked the 100 most populated cities in the U.S. based on how well they accommodate or encourage an active lifestyle and Tucson ranked #27. They analyzed 24 key metrics, ranging from the average monthly fitness club fee to the number of sports clubs per capita. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-cities-for-an-active-lifestyle/8817/ (January 2023)
UArizona Recognized Nationally
Recognized by the Best Colleges 2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report, The University of Arizona was nationally ranked #105 (tie) among all universities and #48 (tie) among public universities. It was ranked #11 among all colleges and universities designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. U.S. News Best College Rankings – In addition to ranking #5 for Management Information Systems, UArizona also ranks #67 (tie) for Best Colleges for Veterans, #20 (tie) Accounting, #21 (tie) Entrepreneurship, #30 (tie) Business, #29 (tie) Nursing, #54 (tie) Computer Science and Engineering. U.S. News Best Grad School Rankings includes #3 Information Systems (#1 among public universities), #2 Geology, #9 (tie) Earth Sciences, #47 (tie) Business School, #43 (tie) Part-time MBA, #54 (tie) Best Education Schools, #64 (tie) Best Engineering Schools, #45 Best Law Schools, #74 (tie) Best Medical Schools: Research, #30 (tie) Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice and #34 (tie) Best Nursing Schools: Master’s. U.S. News Best Online Programs Rankings Includes #6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs, #5 (tie) Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs, #9 (tie) Best Online MBA Programs, #34 (tie) Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs, #32 Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs, #4 Best Bachelor’s Programs for Vets, and #10 Best Online Bachelors Program. U.S. News Best Global University Rankings includes #108 Best Global Universities, #21 (tie) Water Resources, #58 (tie) Arts and Humanities, #123 Economics and Business, #49 Environment/Ecology, #65 (tie) Plant and Animal Science, #127 Psychiatry/Psychology, #144 (tie) Social Sciences and Public Health, #31 Geosciences and #10 (tie) Space Science. https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-arizona-104179/rankings (January 2023)
Arizona Ranks as Top Moving Destination
Arizona ranked #1 overall as the top moving destination for 2022, according to an annual study by Allied Van Lines. Last year, 64.5% of all Arizona moves were inbound compared to 35.5% that were outbound. Tucson ranked as the #1 overall top inbound city in the country. https://www.allied.com/migration-map (January 2023)
UArizona and ASU Rank High Among EPA’s Largest Green Power Users in the U.S.
Arizona State University has been ranked #3 and The University of Arizona #11 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Top 30 College & University list of the largest green power users from the EPA’s Green Power Partnership – a voluntary program that supports organizations in procuring green power. ASU is also #62 and UArizona #100 on the EPA’s Top 100 list of the largest green power users in the United States. https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/green-power-partnership-top-30-college-university (January 2023)
Nation’s Report Card: Arizona 8th Grade Charter Students Score Among U.S. Best
Newly-released results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), better known as the Nation’s Report Card, demonstrate continued strong performance among students attending Arizona charter schools. Arizona 8th grade charter students performed especially well. In fact, if these charter attendees were grouped together as their own state, it would rank number 1 nationally in math and number 2 in reading. In both subject areas, Arizona 8th graders scored approximately one full grade level better than their district peers. https://chamberbusinessnews.com/2022/12/01/nations-report-card-arizona-8th-grade-charter-students-score-among-u-s-best/ (December 2022)
Four Arizona Cities Among Most Fun Cities in the U.S.
According to WalletHub, Tucson is #25 among the top 50 U.S. cities named as the Most Fun. In order to be considered “Fun,” WalletHub said the city has to provide a little bit of everything for everyone. The study compared the 150 largest U.S. cities based on 58 key metrics. They range from fitness centers per capita to movie costs to average open hours of breweries. Other Arizona cities making the top 50 list were Phoenix #28, Tempe #34, and Scottsdale #39. https://wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-cities-in-the-us/23455/ (December 2022)
Arizona 13th in Pentagon Spending
According to Defense Department data, Pentagon spending in Arizona places it at #13 nationally. Military contracts have long been a staple of the Arizona economy, which includes multinational defense manufacturers such as Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, among others. Tucson and southern Arizona have the fifth-highest concentration of aerospace and defense employees in the country. The defense industry remains a pillar of the state’s economy, and will likely continue to be so for the foreseeable future. https://azbigmedia.com/business/arizona-slips-from-top-10-in-pentagon-spending-heres-where-we-rank/ (December 2022)
Top Public High Schools
Niche has released its 2023 Best Public High Schools ranking which is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Some of Arizona’s top ranked schools in Tucson, all receiving an A+ Grade, were: Basis Tucson North, Basis Oro Valley, University High School Tucson, and Catalina Foothills High School. https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-public-high-schools/ (October 2022)
Best Foodie Cities in America
According to WalletHub, several Arizona cities are among the best culinary hotspots in the U.S. Included on the list are: Phoenix #34, Tucson #46, Tempe #52, Scottsdale #57, and Gilbert #91. The list includes wallet-friendly cities that cater to diners who prefer to cook at home, explore local flavors or both. In order to determine the best and cheapest local foodie scenes, WalletHub compared 180 U.S. cities across 30 key indicators of foodie-friendliness. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-foodie-cities/7522/ (October 2022)
AZ Community Ranked for Solar Energy
SolSmart, a national designation program funded by U.S. Department of Energy SunShot (SPARC) Initiative, recognizes communities that have taken steps to advance solar energy growth. Pima County has received the Gold designation and Oro Valley received the Silver designation. https://www.solsmart.org/our-communities/designee-map/ (October 2022)
ASU and UArizona Named Top Universities in America
ASU is ranked #42 and The University of Arizona is ranked #65 of the top public universities in America according to Niche. The rankings were chosen by a rigorous analysis of academic admissions, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 500 public colleges and state universities. https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/top-public-universities (October 2022)
Arizona Ranks as Number 15 Best State to Succeed in Business
Harrington Group International released this study after analyzing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis data from 2020 to 2022. The rankings were determined by analyzing nine factors in three main categories: workforce and consumer habits, business culture, and financial climate. https://hgint.com/best-and-worst-states-to-succeed-in-business/ (October 2022)
Top U.S. Bike-Friendly City
Livability.com has ranked Tucson as the #2 Bike-Friendly City in the U.S. Finding your way around Tucson on two wheels is easy thanks to a network of multi-use trails. While biking to work is common, cycling isn’t limited to the workweek. With plenty of sunshine to encourage spending time outdoors, there are regular cycling events and rides for a variety of skill levels. https://livability.com/topics/healthy-places/8-surprisingly-bike-friendly-cities/ (September 2022)
UArizona and ASU Included in Forbes America’s Top Colleges
Forbes Top Colleges methodology includes measures pertaining to graduate success as well as academic excellence in its evaluation of 500 four-year schools drawn from nearly 2,700 higher education institutions in the United States. These measures include: alumni salary, debt, graduation and retention rates, and academic success measured by receipt of fellowships and doctorates. ASU ranked #125 and UArizona ranked #131. https://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/ (September 2022)
Best Places to Retire
Niche has released its 2022 Best Places to Retire list and has named Tucson #28. Scottsdale is the top city to retire in the U.S. Other Arizona cities that made the list: Mesa #12, Tempe #46 and Phoenix #59. This ranking takes into account key factors, such as weather, crime rates, residents 65 and older, housing costs, and access to amenities such as restaurants, golf courses, exercise facilities, and doctors, in an attempt to measure the appeal of an area for retirement. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/best-cities-to-retire/ (September 2022)
Arizona in Top Third for Women’s Equality
Arizona comes in at #15 for Women’s Equality, according to a study conducted by WalletHub. The study compared all 50 states across three key dimensions: Workplace Environment, Education & Health, and Political Empowerment. Arizona also ranked #5 for “Political Empowerment.” https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-women-equality/5835 (August 2022)
Tucson #2 Dog Friendly City
Tucson ranked as the 2nd most dog-friendly city in the U.S according to a recent study conducted by SmartAsset.com. The seventh annual study lists the top 25 most dog-friendly cities based on a metric in 6 categories: dog-friendly restaurants, parks, walk score, average days of precipitation, and median home values. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/most-dog-friendly-cities-in-america-2022 (August 2022)
Tucson Among Top Cities for Lowest Cost of Living
Tucson, ranked #18, is a great destination for anyone looking for an affordable desert locale. The average monthly living costs in Tucson are still under $1,800. Move.org researched things like rent prices, utility costs, gas prices, and internet rates in the 75 most populous US cities to learn which are the most affordable. https://www.move.org/lowest-cost-of-living-2022/ (August 2022)
Arizona is Tops for Pets
Tucson came in #84 with high rankings for pet friendly outside spaces and businesses. Scottsdale came in at #1 and Phoenix at #33. With animal parents in mind, WalletHub compared the pet-friendliness of the 100 largest U.S. cities across 24 key metrics. The data set ranges from minimum pet-care provider rate per visit to pet businesses per capita to walkability. https://wallethub.com/edu/most-pet-friendly-cities/5562/ (August 2022)
Best Real Estate Markets
WalletHub has released its list of the Best Real Estate markets. The rankings include Gilbert #7, Peoria #9, Surprise #18, Chandler #22, Tempe #30, Mesa #36, Phoenix #39, Scottsdale #59, Glendale #65 and Tucson #134. To determine the best local real estate markets, WalletHub’s analysts compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 21 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-real-estate-markets/14889 (August 2022)
Tucson Ranks #13 Among Top 25 Places to Buy a Vacation Home
North America’s leading vacation rental management platform released its fifth annual Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home report, and Tucson landed at #13. Each year, the company ranks its top 25 markets based on capitalization rate. It also factors key data points, including median home sale price and annual gross rental revenue. Tucson and Phoenix are newcomers that represent popular desert destinations. https://biztucson.com/2022/07/27/tucson-ranks-no-13-among-top-25-places-to-buy-a-vacation-home/ (July 2022)
Best Hospitals in Arizona
According to U.S. News & World Report, Mayo Clinic ranks #1 (#18 on the national Best Hospitals Honor Roll), Banner University Medical Center Phoenix #2, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center #3, TMC Healthcare-Tucson #4, Banner Boswell #5 (tie), Abrazo Arrowhead Campus #5, Chandler Regional Medical Center #7, Northwest Medical Center-Tucson #8 (tie), and Honor Health #8. U.S. News & World Report evaluated 111 hospitals in Arizona. Nine met the high standards and are ranked in the state. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/az (July 2022)
UArizona Water Resources Program No. 2 in the U. S. and No. 6 Globally
The University of Arizona has been recognized by the Shanghai Academic Rankings of World Universities as #6 globally in the area of water resources. Also ranked in the top 50: communication #35, library and information sciences #28, ecology #28, earth sciences #27, atmospheric sciences #32, earth sciences #27, business administration #36 and geography #39. The Shanghai ARWU subject rankings score more than 1,200 global universities based on the number of papers authored by an institution in an academic subject, the ratio of citations of the papers published to the average citations of the papers in the same category to the number of papers published in the journals in the amount of international collaboration and the total number of staff members that have won significant awards. http://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/university-of-arizona (July 2022)
Arizona Cities Among Best for Recreation
WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 35 key metrics that speak to the relative benefits of public spaces and recreational activities across the country. Tucson ranked 12th for best recreation. Other Arizona cities that made the list are: Scottsdale #5, Phoenix #14, Chandler #19, Glendale #22, Mesa #41, and Gilbert #50. For each city, they examined basic living costs, the quality of parks, the accessibility of entertainment and recreational facilities as well as the climate. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-recreation/5144/ (July 2022)
Tucson #2 of 10 Best U.S. Cities for Hiking
LawnStarter ranked 2022’s Best Cities for Hiking to mark National Trails Day on June 4. Surrounded by five mountain ranges, it’s no surprise that Tucson landed in the study’s number two spot. There are hundreds of miles of trails available to hikers of all skill levels. The study looked at 13 hiker-friendly factors such as hiking access, trail difficulty, and safety. https://bestlifeonline.com/news-best-us-cities-hiking/ (June 2022)
Tucson Top Birdwatching City
Listed at #6 in the U.S. by Lonely Planet, Tucson and surrounding areas (Saguaro National Park and Chiricahua Mountains) have an abundance of species that cannot be found elsewhere. July’s monsoon season encourages international fliers to the area. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-for-birding-usa (June 2022)
Tucson Best City for Staycation
WalletHub considered 36 key indicators in ranking the 150 largest U.S. cities. Tucson ranks as #18 among best cities for staycations. Scottsdale #29, Tempe #35, Phoenix #74, Glendale #92, Chandler #103, Mesa #115, Peoria #127, and Gilbert #166 are also great places to play. Certain cities are obviously more conducive to a staycation than others. From recreation opportunities to the cost of relaxation, there are a number of factors to consider when evaluating whether or not you can bring the benefits of a vacation to your front door. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-staycations/4341/ (June 2022)
Arizona #2 for Best State for Wellness
Life Extension queried where you can find the best environment to support a healthy lifestyle, and Arizona ranked #2. To determine which are the best and worst states for wellness, Life Extension analyzed eleven metrics across three main categories: physical and mental health, access to nature and parks, and integrative health practices. https://www.lifeextension.com/wellness/lifestyle/health-wellness-states-ranking-in-the-us (June 2022)
Golfweek’s Best Public Courses
Golfweek’s top Arizona courses include Golf Club at Dove Mountain #5, Ventana Canyon #6, Sewailo #13, Tucson National #15, La Paloma #16, and Star Pass #26. Each year the raters survey over 3,600 facilities, grading each following Golfweek’s ten strict evaluation standards. The magazine then ranks the best private and public courses in each state. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/best-public-golf-courses-2022-state-by-state-ranking-public-access/ (June 2022)
Best Places for Outdoor Enthusiasts to Live and Work
Tucson ranks #17 in SmartAsset’s study of the top 25 places to live and work. Other Arizona cites that made the rankings were Scottsdale #4 and Phoenix #12. In this study, SmartAsset determined the best places for outdoor enthusiasts accounting for livability, employment and outdoor access. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-places-for-outdoor-enthusiasts-to-live-and-work-2022 (June 2022)
Tucson is Salary Leader for Women in Tech
Tucson ranked the 48th best city in the U.S. for women employed in technology careers, according to SmartAsset’s report, the annual 2022 Best Cities for Women in Tech. Tucson’s expanding tech sector is shrinking the gender pay gap and beating out many of the top markets when it comes to salaries for women in the field, according to the report. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-cities-for-women-in-tech-2022 (June 2022)
Arizona Ranks #1 for Advancement of Charter Schools
The Center for Education Reform has ranked Arizona #1 for the advancement of charter schools. Arizona made a comeback to overtake Florida as the first-place winner. The Grand Canyon State increased funding and the proportion of students in charter schools, innovatively creating new models of education. https://azbigmedia.com/business/arizona-ranks-no-1-for-advancement-of-charter-schools/ (May 2022)
Arizona Great Place for Nurses
According to WalletHub, Arizona is ranked 7th in the U.S. as best place to work as a nurse and 4th highest for lowest competition. The study compared all the U.S. states across 21 key metrics that collectively speak to the nursing job opportunities in each market. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-nurses/4041/ (May 2022)
Tucson Has #1 Best Recreational Trail
The Chuck Huckelberry Loop has earned the top spot in USA Today’s 2022 “10 Best Readers’ Choice” travel award contest for Best Recreational Trail for the second year in a row. The Loop was nominated by a panel of experts from USA Today, 10Best.com, expert contributors and other media sources, but it was ultimately crowned the winner thanks to members of the public who selected it as the Best Trail during a four-week online voting contest. The 136+ miles trail system of paved, shared-use paths and short segments of buffered bike lanes connects the Cañada del Oro, Rillito, Santa Cruz, and Pantano River Parks with the Julian Wash and Harrison Road Greenway. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZPIMA/bulletins/3149ff3 (April 2022)
Tucson Named One of America’s Next Great Food Cities
Food & Wine’s special May travel issue showcases eleven culinary destinations worth visiting. Each met the criteria with their creativity, innovation, diversity, and deliciousness. It’s easy to fill up on the tortillas, beans, Sonoran dogs, bread and chocolate – some of the many delicious reasons to visit Tucson that are listed in the article. Also mentioned are great wine and coffee establishments to wash it all down. If you’re just visiting, don’t forget to pack some to take home. https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities (April 2022)
Arizona Among Best States for Middle Class
The wealth gap between upper- and middle-income families continues to grow, but in some states the middle class is thriving. Arizona is one of them. Personal finance tech company SmartAsset ranked Arizona #15 among the top states for the middle class based on percentage of middle-income households, cost of living, income, homeownership and job growth. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-states-for-the-middle-class-2022 (April 2022)
ASU and UArizona Named Best Value College
Arizona State University and UArizona have made the 2022 Princeton Review list of “Best Value Colleges.” The Princeton Review considered more than 40 data points including academics, cost, financial aid, graduation rates, student debt, and career and salary data. The 209 chosen schools are the most exceptional in the nation at delivering great academics, affordable cost and great career foundations. https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=best-value-colleges (April 2022)
Arizona Best High Schools in Nation
Seven Arizona high schools are among the top 50 in the nation, with six more also in the top 100 and three more after that in the top 500, according to U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings of the best high schools for 2022. Nationally ranked Tucson area high schools include: BASIS Oro Valley #27, University High School (Tucson) #28, BASIS Tucson #54, and Catalina Foothills High School #960. The U.S. News & World Report rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public, charter and magnet schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/search?state-urlname=arizona&ranked=true (April 2022)
