$334,518Average Value$159Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
Hollywood’s Wild West and a tightknit desert community
At first glance, Mescal doesn’t look like it has much going on. It’s a rural, residential neighborhood in the Chihuahuan Desert, and it only has one restaurant. The nearest town, Benson, is roughly 8 miles east. Upon second or third glance, though, this small community has been on TV screens across the world. It’s home to the Mescal Movie Set, a staged Old West town that’s been in over 100 westerns. “Tombstone” and “The Quick and the Dead” were filmed here, for instance; Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman and Sharon Stone have all walked the set’s dusty floorboards. And while the set was scheduled for sale and demolition in 2021, Kartchner Ventures bought the property and started renovations to these 28 historic buildings. The set opened for tours soon after, and independent filmmakers started using the location again. Actual residents — not fictional cowboys and sheriffs — mostly live south of this set. Rather than revolver duels and saloons, they can enjoy budget-friendly housing prices and a friendly atmosphere. “People look out for each other,” says Cyndy Malec, a local and a Realtor with Long Realty since 2023. “We have a lot of Facebook groups. You’ll always see posts about someone’s dog, cow, horse or llama who’s run away, and people will respond if they’ve seen it. People will ask for advice or say they need an AC unit repaired, and someone will reach out. If you’re part of those groups, you’ll always know what’s going on in the area.”
Open since 1950, Mescal Movie Set provides Hollywood with an Old West town used in films.
Residents in the Mescal area are typically conservative leaning.
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Manufactured homes and ranch-styles in the Chihuahuan Desert
Mescal mostly has manufactured homes on quarter-acre lots. They’re usually built in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, but some are as new as 2023. Their yards are typically sand, as watered landscaping isn’t practical in most cases. Most properties have cypress and mesquite trees, and sagebrush adds a surprising green to the sandy landscape. These manufactured homes start at $80,000 but can reach $240,000 with more square footage. Ranch-style homes are rarer, but they’re found throughout the neighborhood. They’re usually built in a similar timeframe and have similar-sized lots. Exteriors mostly feature stucco instead of siding, and interiors are usually bigger. Smaller homes start at $250,000 but can reach $700,000 for bigger, estate-like properties. The neighborhood’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Mescal has plenty of newer manufactured homes and open lots that are ready for homes.
Mescal yards are typically dirt or gravel due to extreme heat and drought in Southern AZ.
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Open spaces in Rincon Mountain Wilderness, Saguaro National Park
A part of the Coronado National Forest, the Rincon Mountain Wilderness is just north of the neighborhood. This high desert range covers about 2,400 acres, and campgrounds and hiking trails are found throughout. These hikes culminate in the Rincon Peak Trail, a 15-mile trek with over 4,500 feet of elevation gain. At the top, hikers are at roughly 8,500 feet, and they have views of Saguaro National Park below. This park is split up into two districts around Tucson, but this eastern district is closest to Mescal. It has many of the area’s famous saguaro cacti, which can grow above 40 feet tall, and over 120 miles of hiking trails. Hydration is key for exploration around here, though, since summer temperatures frequently go above 100 degrees.
The world famous Saguaro National Park is located 35 minutes from Mescal.
The Rincon Mountains provide a scenic backdrop to Mescal's pastoral beauty.
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The wildlife at Mescal Bar & Grill, shopping in Benson
After parking at Mescal Bar & Grill, one of the first things people notice is the gorilla. This giant sheet metal statue stands out front of the restaurant, baring its teeth and watching over the parking lot. It’s become a symbol for this log cabin-like restaurant, the only food spot in the neighborhood. Interior décor is similarly eclectic, with signs that read “Free Beer Tomorrow” and “Don’t Worry: Our Staff Is Accustomed To Dumb Questions.” Burgers are bestsellers, but they're also known for their surf and turf and carne asada. Dollar General is just north for groceries, and a Chevron station is on the neighborhood’s south side. For larger shopping trips, the town of Benson, about 8 miles east, has Safeway, Walmart and Tractor Supply Co. It also has more locally owned restaurants such as Farmhouse and Arena Bar.
Mescal residents utilize Quick Pic Food Mart for essentials and gas.
Mescal locals and visitors alike enjoy visiting Mescal Bar and Grill for it's gorilla theme.
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Short drive to Benson Unified Schools
Students in Mescal can carpool to Benson Unified Schools. Benson Primary serves preschool through fifth grade and earns a B from Niche. Just up the street, Benson Middle serves grades six through eight and scores a B-plus. Benson High is two buildings north and gets the same rating. Niche also considers it the best public high school in Cochise County, ahead of 15 others. Its career technical education courses include agriculture, construction technologies, welding and digital photography.
Community events in Benson
Mescal doesn’t have many events, but residents can head over to neighboring Benson. This town has the Annual Lantern Festival in September, a tradition since 2017. Held at the San Pedro Golf Course, the event packs crowds on a lawn in the afternoon, and people often bring blankets and chairs. Food trucks and vendor booths accompany the party. When darkness falls, people light hundreds of lanterns and send them into the night sky. Classic Cars Off Main happens in the same month, when drivers come to show off their rides. Similarly, food and music fills the street, and a lucky car wins the award for People’s Choice. The Annual 4th of July Celebration is another tradition for this town, and it brings a parade and other festivities to Lions Park.
Hopping on the ramp to Interstate 10
Mescal is a small area and can be walked or biked, but most people drive. Interstate 10 runs along the neighborhood’s south side; using this highway, the Benson Hospital is about 8 miles east, and Tucson is about 40 miles west. It only has two lanes in either direction, but traffic flows freely. However, congestion is more common toward Tucson International Airport. The U.S.-Mexico border is about 70 miles south of the neighborhood via state Route 80.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Bury,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Tucson International
40 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Mescal
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mescal, AZ sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Mescal, AZ over the last 12 months is $244,450, up 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming site-built home on a 1 acre in theJ-6 area. Vaulted living room ceiling. Ceiling fans in the living room and bedrooms, with ceramic tile in all traffic areas. The large kitchen offers ample counter space, cabinetry and closet pantry. The master suite has a dual-sink vanity and French doors that open to the patio. The fenced yard is perfect for children and pets, with additional land
Welcome home to this spacious manufactured home featuring 3 bed 2 bath on a generous .19ac lot. Nestled on a paved road for easy access, this property offers room for RV parking, or perfect for your recreational vehicles or extra storage needs. Inside, you'll find a functional layout with comfortable living spaces, ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. Outside, there's plenty of
This beautifully maintained home features 5 bedrooms including 2 primary suites -3 full bathrooms, an open-concept layout, and amazing views, including 360-degree mountain scenery and the iconic Mescal Movie Set in the distance.The home features over $74,000 in recent upgrades, including new energy-efficient windows, a fully renovated kitchen with updated cabinetry, Quartz countertops, a large
Property Id: 1787892Home for Rent! Completely remodeled 2 story home. 3 bedroom 2.5 bath 1895 sqft. (There are 2 separate houses, It is the 2 story house on the left that is for rent. The other house with the loft is already rented) Address: 85 N Oak Dr, Benson, AZ 85602. Just off I-10 and Mescal Rd. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs. Master bedroom with master bath is upstairs.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Bury,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,794
Median Age
51
Population under 18
20%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,405
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,468
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
29.7%
Advanced Degrees
13%
% Population in Labor Force
48.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
99°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
