NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Tucson, AZ

Metro Market Score 60.5 (Difficult), ranked #260 of 378 metros. 2,230 establishments, 42,274 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 60.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

Tucson scores 60.5 on the Metro Market Score for retail trade, placing it in the lower half. High wage costs, strong existing competition, or slowing growth contribute to tougher entry conditions compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
41.8
LQ: 1.10
Rank #158 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
61.6
$38,848 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 30.7
Employment growth index
Rank #263 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
69.4
YoY wage change index

2,230 Retail Trade Firms in Tucson

2,230
Establishments
-0.4% YoY
42,274
Total Employment
-1.4% YoY
$38,848
Average Annual Wage
+1.5% YoY
1.10
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Tucson vs Arizona Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Arizona overall. The state ranks #32/51 for entry risk.

Measure Tucson AZ Statewide
Overall Score 60.5 Difficult 44.9 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #260 of 378 metros #32 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Tucson

Construction 35.1 Healthcare and Social Assistance 42.8 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 53.2 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 53.3 Finance and Insurance 59.4 Other Services 62.7 Information 64.1 Accommodation and Food Services 64.6 Administrative and Support Services 72.9

Retail Trade in Other Arizona Metros

Sierra Vista-Douglas 42.9 #69/378 Yuma 50.0 #138/378 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler 58.7 #241/378 Lake Havasu City-Kingman 59.0 #244/378 Prescott Valley-Prescott 63.2 #288/378 Flagstaff 64.4 #305/378

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Tucson's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (69.3) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.