Pima County has the highest property tax rate in Arizona. Maricopa County (Phoenix/Scottsdale/Mesa) has one of the lowest. The effective rates:
| Location | Effective Rate | Tax on $400K | Tax on $500K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson (city) | ~0.90% | $3,600 | $4,500 |
| Marana | ~0.85% | $3,400 | $4,250 |
| Oro Valley | ~0.82% | $3,280 | $4,100 |
| Green Valley (unincorp.) | ~0.78% | $3,120 | $3,900 |
| Scottsdale | ~0.62% | $2,480 | $3,100 |
| Mesa | ~0.58% | $2,320 | $2,900 |
| Surprise/Buckeye | ~0.55% | $2,200 | $2,750 |
The rate comparison tells half the story. Tucson’s lower home prices mean the dollar tax burden is often closer than the rate gap suggests:
| Comparison | Phoenix/Scottsdale | Tucson/Green Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 55+ community price | $450K–$600K | $300K–$500K |
| Effective tax rate | 0.55–0.65% | 0.78–0.85% |
| Annual tax ($500K Phoenix vs $400K Tucson) | $3,000 | $3,200 |
| Dollar difference | Only $200/year | |
When you compare a $500K Sun City West home (Maricopa) to a $400K Sun City Oro Valley home (Pima), the tax difference shrinks to roughly $200/year. The rate is higher in Pima, but the lower purchase price nearly equalizes the dollar amount. The real savings in choosing Tucson over Phoenix come from the purchase price, not the tax rate.
If you’re comparing the SAME price point in both markets — say a $450K Del Webb in Surprise vs a $450K Del Webb at Dove Mountain — Phoenix wins by roughly $1,000–$1,350/year on property taxes alone. Over 10 years: $10,000–$13,500. That’s real money. But you’re also getting a different city, different climate (Phoenix is 5–10°F hotter), different lifestyle, and different proximity to mountains vs metro.
We cover both markets. Get a side-by-side tax and cost comparison.
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