The affordability of Arizona, combined with its mountain, desert, and other scenic landscapes, makes it one of those dream destinations for budget-conscious travelers. After all, it is one of the top five U.S. states where retirees could live on social security alone, according to a study. Many flock to the state’s largest cities of Phoenix and Tucson for affordability, but the smaller, hidden towns outside each often attract retirees and others seeking low-cost living. One of these hidden gems is San Manuel, located in the suburbs of Tucson; it was once a thriving copper mining town.
While interest in copper around San Manuel dates to the 1800s, nothing substantial happened on the site until the 1940s, when the Magma Copper Company purchased land there, leading to the eventual creation of the San Manuel Mine. The mine opened in 1952, followed by the construction of the master-planned community in 1953 by Del Webb Construction Company, estimated for 8,000 residents. The town grew to about 5,000 residents and was considered the largest underground copper mine in the world during the 1980s before the price of copper waned; the mine was closed in 2003, with more than 2,500 workers losing their jobs.
The rural community of San Manuel lies along the San Pedro River, overlooking the surrounding Galiuro Mountains, about 45 miles northeast of Tucson in Pinal County. San Manuel is home to approximately 3,269 residents and covers about 20 square miles of land. According to Niche, San Manuel ranks No. 1 among Arizona suburbs with the lowest cost of living, No. 5 among the best suburbs for buying a house in Arizona, and No. 13 for places with the lowest cost of living in the state.
Getting to know affordable San Manuel, Arizona and planning your visit
To take a deeper dive into what makes San Manuel affordable, consider that the median home value in San Manuel is $112,600, lower than the nationwide average of $303,400, per Niche. Homeownership rates still hover high in the community — 82% as of this writing — while those who do rent pay a median of $740 monthly, less than the national average of $1,348. Residents in San Manuel earn a median household income of $48,333 annually, significantly lower than the U.S. median of $78,538 – but that income can stretch further thanks to a lower cost of living. According to Salary.com, monthly expenses in San Manuel are approximately 40% lower than the U.S. average, with $1,810 per month for an individual and $3,788 per month for a family of four. Combining that with housing costs, the cost of living for an individual is around $2,398 monthly, and $5,280 for families of four, which is 3% lower than the nationwide average, and 152% lower than the rest of the state…