Spanish for "Rich River," Rio Rico is a Santa Cruz County border town set right on Interstate 19, about 60 miles south of Tucson, Arizona and roughly 16 miles north of Nogales, Mexico. Set among the Santa Rita Mountains, with the Santa Cruz River flowing through it, Rio Rico is known for its natural scenery and warm, dry climate, both of which attract retirees from Tucson. “It’s a rural desert community where people come looking to pay less for more space,” says Marty Ryan, a broker with First United Realty who has 41 years of experience. Home to just over 21,000 residents, this unincorporated community was once known for the Esplendor Resort, which closed in 2016. Today, the town's main employers are local public schools and industrial warehouses.
Only 20 minutes from Mexico, Rio Rico is a semi-rural town with a population of around 20,000 people.
Rio Rico is home to dozens of industrial properties that employ many residents in the area.
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Mountain views and room for farm animals
The median home sale price in Rio Rico is $280,000, compared to about $345,000 in Tucson. The Santa Cruz River creates a natural divide between the east and west sides of the city; homes east of the river with mountain views tend to be priced higher. On both sides, ranch-style homes with brick and stucco exteriors, traditional Pueblo Revival adobe structures and Spanish Revival-style homes are set on partially paved roads winding through desert hills. Older homes were typically built between the 1970s and ‘80s, while the newest homes here were built between the 2000s and the present day. “It's very much a farming town, and many residents choose large lots specifically so they can keep farm animals on their lots,” Ryan adds. “You can find 4-acre parcels and undeveloped land for under a million.”
Ranch-style homes built in the 1970's are common in Rio Rico.
Spanish-influenced homes with scenic views are offered in Rio Rico.
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"Exemplary" education at Rio Rico High
Local public schools are a part of the Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Roughly 180 teachers are employed by the district, serving 3,700 students across five schools. The highest rated schools are Coatimundi Middle and Rio Rico High, both of which earn a B-plus. In 2024, the Arizona Education Foundation designated Rio Rico High as an A+ School of Excellence.
Coatimundi Middle School serves grades 6-8 in Rio Rico, Arizona.
Rio Rico High School was founded in 1996 and serves grades 9-12 in Rio Rico, Arizona.
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Hiking on the river
Right in Rio Rico, the Robert Damon Recreational Complex Park provides open fields and basketball courts, and hikers can enjoy desert views along the steep Santa Cruz Trail. On the outskirts of town, the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area spans 5,000 acres, offering trails and a central lake.
Robert Damon Recreational Complex in Rio Rico is a large park with baseball fields and a walking trail.
Patagonia Lake at Sonoita Creek State Natural Area is only 30 minutes from Rio Rico.
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Authentic cuisine on Interstate 19
The city’s proximity to Mexico is reflected in an array of authentic, locally owned Mexican restaurants and a few small shops along the Interstate 19 corridor. Notably, there’s only one supermarket in town, so most residents head about 10 miles away into Nogales for more options. Nogales’ Mariposa Shopping Center is the closest mall, offering a Ross Dress For Less, JCPenney and Dollar Tree alongside a few large chain restaurants.
La Bocanita in Rio Rico is highly rated and offers fresh Mexican food any time of the day.
Mariposa Shopping Center is minutes from Rio Rico and offers big-box retailers.
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A straight shot to Nogales
Interstate 19 intersects Rio Rico, leading about 16 miles south to Nogales and 56 miles north to Tucson. With no public transit system, most residents are car dependent. The closest major hospitals are about 14 miles away in Nogales, Arizona, which is also home to the nearest border crossing. Tucson International Airport is about 50 miles away.
Elevated crime rates and varying drinking water quality
Rio Rico doesn't have its own police department, but the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office in Nogales responds to local emergencies. According to recent FBI data, between 2022 and 2024, the Nogales Police Department reported higher rates of violent and property crime than those in both the state and nation.
Although tap water in Rio Rico is generally considered safe to drink, it may contain low levels of contaminants. Many residents choose to use water filtration systems or purchase bottled water.
Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Video By
Tyler Belile
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