Apartment List May 2025 Report Highlights Slower Rent Growth in Southern Arizona

TUCSON, ARIZONA (April 30, 2025) – The latest Apartment List Rent Report for May 2025 shows continued downward pressure on rental prices in Tucson, with the citywide median rent falling to $1,059. That marks a 0.6% decline over the past month and a 2.9% drop compared to last year’s period, positioning Tucson behind the Arizona state average (-2.7%) and the national average (-0.3%).

According to the report, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Tucson is now $884, while two-bedroom units average $1,134. So far in 2025, rents have declined 0.9%, a steeper drop than during the same period in 2024, when the year-to-date decline was just 0.3%.

This downward trend represents a shift from prior years. Tucson saw significant rent growth in 2021 with a 21.4% increase, followed by more modest gains in 2022 and 2023. However, rents began softening in 2024 with a 2.1% annual decrease, and that trajectory has continued into the first quarter of 2025.

Tucson ranked #97 for rent growth among the nation’s 100 largest cities in April, falling alongside markets like Detroit, MI (-0.6%) and Huntsville, AL (-0.7%). In contrast, the national rent average rose 0.5% over the same period, led by cities like Chicago, IL, which posted a 2.1% monthly increase.

Despite declining prices, Tucson remains one of the more affordable rental markets in the U.S., with its median rent ranking 94th among the 100 largest cities. The city’s median rent is 23.9% below the national average of $1,392 and remains comparable to peer cities such as Detroit ($1,062) and Cleveland ($1,049).

Apartment List’s rent estimates are based on a blend of U.S. Census Bureau data and proprietary listing data. The methodology utilizes a same-unit analysis, similar to the Case-Shiller approach, tracking changes in specific apartments over time to provide a more accurate reflection of market conditions.

For more information or to view the full Tucson report, visit www.apartmentlist.com.

GOODYEAR, ARIZ.  (April 30, 2025) – Compass Church joyfully announces the groundbreaking of its state-of-the-art facility in Goodyear, Arizona, a significant step forward in its mission to guide individuals toward a deeper connection with God.

This past Sunday, on a sunny spring afternoon, Lead Pastor Ronn Smith, alongside church leaders and community members, celebrated this pivotal moment at 16060 W. Van Buren St.

Phoenix-based CCBG Architects, Inc., designed the 18,000 SF, $6.7 million facility. It includes a new worship space, religious classrooms, expanded parking, and site field and landscape development. The single-story facility is scheduled to open in April 2026.

The design creates a new central heart to the existing campus while incorporating the existing structures into a new architecture reflecting the spiritual growth of the growing congregation, said Paul Ladensack, Principal, CCBG Architecture. The architecture incorporates a new, 800-seat worship space that provides a seamless connection to transformed existing buildings that creates a balanced composition and new entry symmetry for future growth. A tower is incorporated with a cross that signals entry and a welcome gesture to Van Buren Street to the south.

“CCBG Architects is honored to bring its deep knowledge and passion for church design to this meaningful project, which will serve as a cornerstone for the Compass Church community in the thriving West Valley,” Ladensack said. “With decades of experience in creating inspiring and functional spaces, CCBG is dedicated to crafting environments that foster connection, worship, and community growth.”

Working with a design team and contractor was a new experience for Compass Church, Pastor Smith explained.

“CCGB Architects was so helpful in every step of the way; we have never done this before,” Pastor Smith said. “They gently helped us walk through the entire process. They gave us great ideas and great thoughts on where to go with the design. We are very thankful for that. Our goal is to have this facility built in a year and start to use our new auditorium.”

The new facility is part of Compass Church’s “Gaining Ground” initiative, a two-year vision adventure aimed at expanding the church’s reach and impact in the West Valley. The project includes the construction of a new auditorium, lobby, and children’s classrooms on the church’s 10-acre property.

“We are thrilled to take this next step in our journey,” Pastor Smith said. “This new facility will provide a space where our community can experience God’s love and grow in their faith. We are grateful for the support of our congregation and the community as we embark on this exciting new chapter.”

The “Gaining Ground” initiative has already garnered significant support, with more than $7 million committed to the project.

“The church is trusting God to provide the necessary resources to complete the construction and continue its mission of loving and serving the community,” Pastor Smith said.

MTV General Contractors, Inc., is the general contractor. Notable subcontractors on the project include AV Schwann, a structural engineer; Peterson Associates, an MPE engineer; and Kaeko Engineering, a civil engineer.

PIMA COUNTY (April 30, 2025) – County Administrator Jan Lesher has recommended a $1.76 billion budget for Pima County for the upcoming fiscal year, representing a modest 1.9% increase over the current budget. The proposed budget includes a 2.5% increase to the overall County property tax rate, aimed at maintaining essential services and offsetting escalating costs passed down from the state and potential reductions in federal funding.

Tax Impacts and State Cost Shifts

The recommended property tax rate increase includes two main components:

• A 3.65-cent increase per $100 of net assessed value to support critical County operations, programs, and services.

• As required by Board policy, a 9.44-cent increase to cover state-imposed cost shifts.

Combined, these changes would bring the County’s total proposed property tax rate to $5.2317 per $100 of assessed value. For the average single-family homeowner, this equates to an estimated $94 increase in next year’s property tax bill, with a median increase of $83.

Despite the increase, Lesher emphasized that County property taxes remain historically low. “Since 2021, we’re actually down over 30 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, even with whatever final increase might be approved,” she told 13 News. “Taxes continue to go down in this area for Pima County.”

The proposed increase marks only the second time in the last seven years that the County Administrator has recommended raising the property tax rate. Thanks to 11 consecutive years of economic growth and rising property values, the County has previously reduced its rate, resulting in hundreds of millions in avoided taxes for property owners.

Budget Challenges and Federal Funding Concerns

The County’s budgeting process this year was shaped by several uncertainties, including:

• Volatile federal fiscal policy could impact up to $150 million in funding.
• The unfinished state budget.

• Broader concerns about a potential economic downturn.

To cushion against these risks, Lesher said the County has built in contingency reserves. “We’re making sure we have a couple of different pockets of contingency dollars or fund balance, so if we do not receive expected federal dollars, we have a cushion there,” she said.

Budget Priorities

Lesher’s proposed budget aims to strike a balance between conservative financial management and continued investment in key community services. The County’s four budget priorities are:

1. Stable county operations and conservative budgeting

2. Maintaining workforce competitiveness

3. Building and maintaining critical infrastructure

4. Sustaining vital community programs focused on early education, housing, and climate change

The County levies four types of property taxes: the primary tax (for the General Fund), the Library District tax, the Regional Flood Control District tax, and the Debt Service tax. For FY26, small increases are proposed for the Library and Flood Control District taxes, while the Debt Service tax is set to decrease by 1 cent.

Next Steps

The Pima County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to discuss and adopt the Tentative Budget on May 20, which will cap FY26 expenditures. Final adoption is anticipated at the June 17 Board meeting, though no increases in spending can be approved after the tentative budget is adopted.

“The Recommended Budget for FY 2025/26 represents a strategic approach to financial management,” Lesher wrote in her budget memo. “It reflects our commitment to maintaining stability for County residents and employees while maintaining a solid financial foundation.”

To read the Recommended Budget, go to pima.gov/budget