Data Centers in Tucson
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Tucson – Resilient Infrastructure in the Sonoran Desert
Executive Summary
Tucson is an emerging edge market ideal for organizations requiring a resilient, lower-cost alternative to primary Southwestern hubs like Phoenix or Los Angeles. Its strategic location offers a stable platform for disaster recovery and serving secondary markets in Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. This market provides a compelling combination of strong tax incentives and a reliable power grid to support high-uptime operations.
Tucson: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Good regional connectivity, though not a primary national fiber hub. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Nearest on-ramps are in Phoenix; private network extensions are available. |
| Power Cost | $0.08 - $0.11/kWh | Favorable rates supported by a diverse and modern power generation mix. |
| Disaster Risk | High (NRI Score: 91.66) – as of September 2025 | Significant environmental risks require robust facility engineering and mitigation planning. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes | Multiple DC-specific programs, including sales and use tax exemptions. |
| Sales Tax | 5.60% (State) – as of September 2025 | Additional local taxes may apply; specific exemptions are available for data centers. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Tucson's connectivity is centered around approximately 5 providers operating within its 3 data centers, as of September 2025. The market offers access to regional and national carriers, with most facilities operating on a carrier-neutral basis, providing choice for network services.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct, native cloud on-ramps within Tucson data centers, as of September 2025. Businesses connect to major cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure via the primary interconnection hub in Phoenix. Secure, private network extensions are commonly used to establish this connectivity.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public peering is limited within Tucson. Most network peering is conducted privately between carriers or established through connections to major IXPs in Phoenix to ensure efficient traffic exchange.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available in the region, often provisioned from nearby Phoenix data centers. Providers like phoenixNAP offer dedicated server solutions that can serve workloads requiring low latency to the Tucson area.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates in the Tucson area typically range from $0.08 to $0.11 per kWh, as of September 2025. These competitive power costs, compared to other Western US markets, help lower the total cost of ownership for compute-intensive deployments.
Power Grid Reliability: The regional power grid is well-engineered and benefits from a diverse energy portfolio. With significant contributions from natural gas (45%), nuclear (27%), and solar (13%), the grid provides a stable and reliable power supply for mission-critical data center operations.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Tucson data centers serve the University of Arizona's significant research community, the local aerospace and defense industries, and a growing technology sector. This proximity allows for low-latency connections essential for research, development, and operational workloads.
Regional Market Reach: The market is strategically positioned to serve Southern Arizona and act as a nearshore gateway to Northern Mexico. Its location makes it a viable disaster recovery site for businesses in Phoenix and Southern California, offering geographic separation from major fault lines.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Arizona provides some of the most attractive data center tax incentives in the United States. The state’s Computer Data Center (CDC) Program offers significant sales and use tax exemptions on equipment purchases for both operators and colocation tenants, directly reducing capital expenditures.
Natural Disaster Risk
Tucson has a High natural disaster risk profile, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.66, as of September 2025. The primary risks for data center operations are environmental and geological. Key hazards include Drought, Earthquake, Heatwave, Landslide, Riverine Flooding, and Wildfire. These factors demand that data centers are built to high engineering standards with specific plans for cooling redundancy and fire suppression.
