The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Tucson For 2022


We used data and science to identify the neighborhoods in Tucson that are the real pits.

Tucson's neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You've got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there's a neighborhood for everyone in Tucson.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it's not all rainbows and sunshine in Tucson. Some neighborhoods aren't as great as others.

So the question arises, which Tucson neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?

Today, we'll use science and data to determine which Tucson hoods need a little tender loving care - the sore thumbs of the Tucson area if you will. Realistically, you can't expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Desert Palms Park ranks way above the rest.

We examined 128 of Tucson's neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don't quite measure up to Tucson's reputation.

So what's the worst neighborhood to live in Tucson for 2022? According to the most recent census data, Fairgrounds looks to be the worst neighborhood in Tucson.

Read on to see how we determined the places around Tucson that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don't blame the messenger.

Once you're done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best. Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of Tucson.

For more Arizona reading, check out:

Worst Neighborhoods In Tucson
Source: Public domain

The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Tucson For 2022

Living in a place called Fairgrounds seems like a lot of laughs. And, to be fair, this neighborhood does house the Tucson Rodeo

A lack of amenities and a weak economy contribute to the neighborhood's bad character. The unemployment rate sits at 8.4% and the median income comes in at $8.4. At least Fairgrounds is affordable. The median home value stands at $71,300.

The El Presidio district has great historical significance. This centrally located neighborhood represents the area where the city was originally founded as a Spanish military fort. It has modern cultural significance as well, with restaurants, shops, and sites like the Tucson Museum of Art

Living in the area is difficult, however. In fact, it ranks as the number 2 least inviting regions of the city. A lack of jobs holds the neighborhood back. Locals have to contend with a 11.3% unemployment rate and make due with a median income of just $25,976. Meanwhile, the median home price sits at $66,200.

Alvernon Heights is a square neighborhood bordered by E. 22nd Street on the north, E. 29th Street on the South, S. Alvernon Way to the west, and S. Columbus Blvd. to the east. It is also situated kitty-corner from the Randolph Golf Complex and the Tucson Police Department.

The area benefits from modest amenities and a good safety reputation. Still, it ranks as one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. Why? Well, the economy leaves a lot to be desired.

The numbers tell the story. The unemployment rate sits at 10.4% and the median income comes in at $19,452. The median home price in the area stands at $47,800.

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,314
Rank Last Year: 4 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $47,800 (2nd worst)
Median Income: $19,452 (4th worst)
More on Alvernon Heights:  Data

Living in Roberts offers a lot of benefits. There area is safe and reasonably affordable, with a large number of amenities available nearby. Yet, it ranks as the number 4 worst spot to live in Tucson, largely as a result of a stagnant economy.

It's tough to find a job in this part of the city. The unemployment rate comes in at 14.3%. Even the available jobs make it hard to make ends meet. The median income hovers at $19,452.

Located south of Alvernon Heights and Naylor, Roberts provides a home to 2,156 people. It sits just across Golf Links Rd. from the U.S. Border Patrol Sector Headquarters.

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,156
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $67,300 (11th worst)
Median Income: $19,452 (4th worst)
More on Roberts:  Data

No, this isn't the hilarious home of a bunch of cartoons. This version represents one of the least attractive neighborhoods in Tucson.

A relatively large section of the city, centered on Silverlake Park, South Park offers reasonable safety and affordability. Unfortunately, finances are a challenge for the area's 3,131 residents. It suffers an elevated 8.6% unemployment rate and a median income of just $28,574.

There are notable amenities in the region. Bordered on the north by E. Aviation Pkwy and on the south by the I-10, South Park contains a mixed-use development that houses attractions like a tech park sponsored by the University of Arizona.

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 3,131
Rank Last Year: 6 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $96,667 (38th worst)
Median Income: $28,574 (32nd worst)
More on South Park:  Data

As the name suggests, the neighborhood of Santa Rita Park is centered around a park of the same name. Even with this feature lending some character, this section of the city ranks as the number 6 worst spot in in Tucson.

A lack of amenities and a weak economy hold Santa Rita Park back. The 586 residents contend with a 9.7% unemployment rate and a $30,286 median income. Still, home values in the area are affordable, with a median home price of $88,850.

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 586
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $88,850 (32nd worst)
Median Income: $30,286 (38th worst)
More on Santa Rita Park:  Data

Located along the I-10, San Ignacio Yaqui provides some draws. Still, the area has issues with affordability, jobs, and a lack of other amenities. This makes it one of the least attractive areas in the city.

The median home price in San Ignacio Yaqui sits at $71,450. In most places, that represents a highly affordable figure. However, it's a tough mortgage to cover with a local median income of just $19,844. At the same time, the unemployment rate comes in at 6.1%.

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 676
Rank Last Year: 8 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $71,450 (17th worst)
Median Income: $19,844 (6th worst)
More on San Ignacio Yaqui:  Data

Located south of Rosemont West, between S. Swan Rd. and S. Craycroft Rd., Myers provides a home to 5,159 people. Unfortunately, a weak economy makes this neighborhood a difficult place to raise a family. The median income equals $25,509 and the unemployment rate hovers at 7.1%.

Myers is far from a wasteland, however. It has plenty of amenities and provides affordable housing. The median home value comes in at $48,150.

The residents can enjoy a number of recreational activities. These include sports and swimming at Freedom Park and shopping on main street at local shops.

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 5,159
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $48,150 (3rd worst)
Median Income: $25,509 (20th worst)
More on Myers:  Data

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,917
Rank Last Year: 10 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $88,933 (33rd worst)
Median Income: $29,495 (35th worst)
More on Bravo Park Lane:  Data

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,106
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $62,950 (7th worst)
Median Income: $24,580 (17th worst)
More on Dodge Flower:  Data

Methodology: How we determined the worst Tucson neighborhoods in 2022

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in Tucson:

  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one's willing to pay to live here)
  • High crime (Estimated)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criteria into a "Worst Score".

The neighborhood with the lowest "Worst Score" ranks as the worst neighborhood of Tucson.

Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around Tucson to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 128 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.

Summary: The Worst Neighborhoods Around Tucson

Well there you have it -- the worst of the neighborhoods in Tucson with Fairgrounds landing at the bottom of the pack.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Tucson aren't all bad. Desert Palms Park takes the cake as the best place to live in Tucson.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.

For more Arizona reading, check out:

Where Are The Worst Neighborhoods To Live In Tucson For 2022?

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Fairgrounds 2,142 $71,300 $25,005
2 El Presidio 672 $66,200 $25,976
3 Alvernon Heights 1,314 $47,800 $19,452
4 Roberts 2,156 $67,300 $19,452
5 South Park 3,131 $96,667 $28,574
6 Santa Rita Park 586 $88,850 $30,286
7 San Ignacio Yaqui 676 $71,450 $19,844
8 Myers 5,159 $48,150 $25,509
9 Bravo Park Lane 2,917 $88,933 $29,495
10 Dodge Flower 3,106 $62,950 $24,580
11 North Dodge 2,258 $60,450 $24,251
12 Sunset Villa 338 $107,200 $31,458
13 Avondale 1,329 $66,600 $24,456
14 Rose 1,881 $83,200 $25,698
15 El Rio Acres 2,413 $84,850 $32,632
16 Las Vistas 4,631 $84,743 $31,826
17 Balboa Heights 1,355 $85,300 $12,854
18 Keeling 5,018 $88,420 $21,261
19 Santa Cruz Southwest 2,826 $58,240 $27,962
20 Feldman's 1,974 $167,260 $23,128
21 Parkway Terrace 81 $97,600 $44,922
22 Barrio Hollywood 2,631 $98,550 $27,950
23 Wakefield 4,657 $70,714 $28,200
24 Barrio Anita 278 $132,400 $37,269
25 Amphi 7,389 $79,540 $20,269
26 Doolen-Fruitvale 1,404 $93,267 $36,038
27 Dunbar Spring 874 $184,167 $25,779
28 Barrio Blue Moon 501 $97,650 $23,499
29 Naylor 604 $97,200 $27,861
30 Miramonte 3,835 $142,400 $27,899
31 Mountain View 1,238 $143,900 $36,620
32 Arroyo Chico 1,984 $78,800 $37,537
33 Silvercroft 351 $89,700 $35,303
34 Menlo Park 5,448 $145,383 $29,858
35 Barrio Centro 949 $97,350 $46,230
36 Elvira 8,254 $85,480 $36,931
37 Flowing Wells 11,466 $83,992 $39,991
38 Drexel Park 2,048 $46,850 $24,952
39 Miracle Manor 2,583 $64,400 $22,053
40 Ocotillo Oracle 1,180 $157,625 $20,694
41 Rancho Buena 2,352 $78,800 $34,750
42 Mortimore 327 $92,200 $48,352
43 West University 3,900 $229,620 $20,605
44 San Gabriel 931 $163,567 $31,206
45 Rincon Heights 2,443 $116,183 $25,657
46 Miles East West 967 $60,250 $31,489
47 Pie Allen 889 $188,600 $17,456
48 Palo Verde 4,587 $145,112 $30,461
49 Saint Cyrils 2,346 $85,600 $30,441
50 Campus Farm 5,209 $112,700 $32,027
51 Udall Park 198 $157,800 $56,875
52 A Mountain 3,075 $116,100 $32,821
53 El Cortez 530 $97,400 $30,931
54 Sunnyside 13,801 $82,260 $32,113
55 Wilshire Heights 423 $153,800 $63,511
56 Limberlost 2,988 $111,900 $29,124
57 Julia Keen 4,315 $73,883 $42,510
58 Barrio San Antonio 255 $186,450 $36,460
59 Starr Pass 717 $211,400 $61,698
60 Midtown 6,862 $109,883 $34,518
61 Northwest 1,625 $157,200 $28,450
62 Corbett 6,292 $100,200 $34,805
63 Hedrick Acres 3,641 $159,000 $25,980
64 Cherry Avenue 9,191 $68,825 $35,309
65 Swan Way Park 895 $71,000 $32,944
66 Broadway-Northeast 944 $172,800 $55,127
67 Mitman 1,032 $153,700 $37,630
68 Barrio Santa Rosa 1,019 $140,900 $32,396
69 Stella Mann 7,732 $107,050 $37,098
70 Western Hills 1,172 $81,500 $31,838
71 Colonia Del Valle 1,776 $142,200 $54,839
72 Cabrini 1,906 $116,600 $34,580
73 Desert Aire-Loma Linda 978 $69,950 $38,159
74 Groves Lincoln Park 5,319 $107,140 $49,612
75 Oak Flower 2,082 $104,400 $22,976
76 San Clemente 768 $197,550 $40,067
77 Westside Development 3,401 $128,300 $62,475
78 Millville 673 $186,450 $36,460
79 Terra Del Sol 5,241 $94,167 $44,142
80 Midvale Park 17,271 $101,560 $38,634
81 Jefferson Park 3,094 $132,840 $34,103
82 Peter Howell 2,180 $192,550 $47,262
83 Campbell-Grant 965 $183,000 $38,164
84 Prince Tucson 1,703 $175,650 $35,822
85 Dietz 7,533 $100,867 $40,835
86 El Montevideo 72 $341,200 $79,464
87 Rillito 1,209 $137,100 $41,625
88 Iron Horse 269 $250,850 $28,903
89 La Madera 1,228 $163,167 $48,269
90 Ironwood Ridge 275 $165,800 $50,652
91 Barrio Viejo 580 $220,450 $42,584
92 Toumey Park 2,354 $112,700 $41,346
93 Glenn Heights 669 $168,200 $51,845
94 Thunderbird Heights-Wilmot Desert 886 $150,700 $39,635
95 Vista Del Monte 2,060 $125,500 $54,378
96 Richland Heights East 1,081 $195,900 $35,446
97 El Gheko 2,453 $186,150 $48,534
98 Shaheen Estates 962 $205,300 $39,268
99 Lakeside Park 5,124 $115,675 $44,417
100 North University 2,062 $238,200 $32,647
101 Samos 1,286 $191,775 $36,803
102 Mountain First Avenue 1,485 $186,733 $36,169
103 Sewell 2,022 $273,550 $17,408
104 Enchanted Hills 1,663 $98,400 $40,114
105 Harlan Heights 2,058 $138,550 $37,409
106 Country Glenn 787 $103,650 $50,934
107 Rosemont West 1,765 $144,650 $53,629
108 Armory Park 1,194 $243,550 $35,231
109 Tucson Park West 3,752 $152,700 $29,854
110 Blenman-Elm 3,458 $287,443 $53,350
111 El Conquistador 329 $369,800 $58,295
112 Richland Heights West 622 $179,500 $37,212
113 Catalina Vista-Blenman-Elm 969 $319,300 $55,920
114 South Harrison 5,444 $143,660 $57,424
115 Bear Canyon 1,569 $300,600 $60,736
116 Old Fort Lowell 2,798 $188,833 $60,202
117 Highland Vista Cinco Via 724 $197,650 $72,098
118 Sam Hughes 4,745 $312,312 $51,092
119 Rita Ranch 15,378 $184,900 $80,100
120 Mesquite Ranch 945 $229,700 $82,886
121 Broadmoor-Broadway 1,520 $281,650 $53,963
122 Civano 2,525 $229,700 $82,886
123 Saguaro Miraflores 615 $213,500 $74,054
124 Harrison East-South 3,045 $154,700 $57,993
125 Houghton 2,646 $273,400 $87,860
126 Poets Square 1,146 $191,833 $60,578
127 Eastside 4,072 $206,300 $78,316
128 Desert Palms Park 861 $208,300 $76,875

Editor's Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don't freak out we updated this article for 2022. This is our time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Tucson.
About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.