$251,248Average Value$227Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Vibrant neighborhood on Route 210, right off Aviation Parkway
Set 3 miles southeast of downtown Tucson and right on Route 210, Barrio Centro's biggest perk is its central location, with easy access to major thoroughfares like the Aviation Parkway, as well as bike paths, Sun Tran bus stops and the popular Reid Park. The neighborhood's mid- to late 20th-century homes have some of the lowest prices in the city, and no two houses are alike. “The area is very mixed as far as the sizes and ages of homes,” says Ana Holcomb, a Realtor with Tierra Antigua Realty, who has over 18 years' experience. Along East 22nd Street, residents can find locally owned businesses and restaurants, as well as the neighborhood’s colorful 176-foot mural, which reflects the area’s vibrant spirit.
Lucky Wishbone is a favorite Barrio Centro restaurant in business since 1953.
Local bites and groceries on 22nd Street
Shopping and dining are mainly concentrated around East 22nd Street, the neighborhood’s northern border. Without leaving the neighborhood, residents can grocery shop at Food City, grab a pizza from the local Domino’s and pop into small businesses like the thrift shop TMM's ReStore. At the El Sol Shopping Center here, Mariscos Chihuahua serves authentic Mexican seafood on its patio, Penas Snowcones Tacos Y Mas is a go-to for chamoy (pickled fruit) treats, and Pamilihan Pinoy Asian Groceries carries specialty products like fish-flavored chips and steamed pork buns. At the southern end of the neighborhood, the family-owned Wooden Nickel Tavern has been a neighborhood staple for over 40 years, serving comfort food and happy hour specials in a laidback, no-frills setting with billiards and occasional live music and karaoke.
Events at the zoo and local parks
Just northeast of Barrio Centro, the Reid Park Zoo’s a local highlight for family fun; residents can volunteer or intern at the zoo, and kids in the Junior Zoo Keeper program can get a behind-the-scenes tour of zoo life. In 2026, the zoo will debut a Pathway to Asia section with habitats for tigers and red pandas. Also at Reid Park, the DeMeester Performance Center is an open-air amphitheater that stages theater productions and concerts, including the Tucson Pops Orchestra’s Music Under the Stars series in the spring and fall. Each November at the neighborhood's own Bristol Park, the Barrio Centro Association hosts the Barrio Centro Fiesta with live music, dancing and food trucks.
Visitors get up close and personal with giraffes at Reid Park Zoo close to Barrio Centro.
DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Gene C. Reid Park is near Barrio Centro.
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Getting around from Barrio Centro
Route 210 borders Barrio Centro, leading 3 miles away to downtown Tucson and Interstate 10. East 22nd Street is the neighborhood’s commercial corridor. The neighborhood has pedestrian-friendly streets, as well as bike lanes and paths, and stops for fare-free Sun Tran buses. Tucson ER & Hospital is 3 miles away, and Tucson International Airport is 8 miles away.
Union Pacific Trains run alongside Aviation Parkway, a local bypass in Barrio Centro.
An overview of Barrio Centro, leading to Aviation Parkway and Downtown Tucson.
Local bus stops are often shaded by trees due to the summer heat in Barrio Centro.
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Ranch-style homes with gravel-packed lots
“We’ve got plenty of one-story ranch-style homes from the '70s here,” says Donna Moulton, a retired Realtor and Tucson local for 33 years. “And even though they’re well-built, the fact that they’re older is part of the reason why homes are lower priced here.” Most homes here are part of the Barrio Centro Neighborhood Association, which charges monthly HOA dues of about $50 that go toward community upkeep and neighborhood events. As of late 2024, the average home price here is $258,000, 15% higher than in late 2023.
Set along sidewalk-lined streets, Barrio Centro’s ranch-style homes were built during the mid to late 20th century; most vary from door to door in color, shape and size, though red brick exteriors are common. These homes generally have two to six bedrooms, 800 to 2,000-square-foot layouts and attached carports; their dirt- or gravel-packed lots range from 7,000 to 14,000 square feet, many dotted with the occasional mesquite or palm tree. Prices range from about $200,000 to $400,000, depending on a home’s size and features.
Red brick homes are prevalent throughout Barrio Centro.
Brightly painted homes are not uncommon in Barrio Centro.
Numerous homes in Barrio Centro feature large, decades-old cactus gardens.
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Shoot some hoops in Barrio Centro's Bristol Park.
Community parks keep residents active
The 2-acre Bristol Park is the only park in the neighborhood, offering a playground, basketball court and playing field. At 130-acre Reid Park, locals can jog along the 2-mile Gene C. Reid Park Perimeter Loop, take pets to the dog park and play sports like horseshoe and baseball. Also here is the Randolph Park and Golf Complex, with two 18-hole golf courses, a skate park and a rec center with a gym and dance studio. Other highlights at the park include the Reid Park Zoo, Cele Peterson Rose Garden and Hi Corbett Field, where the Arizona Wildcats baseball team plays. Along the neighborhood’s southern border, Aviation Bikeway is part of The Loop, a 130-mile shared-use path that wraps around Tucson.
Tucson’s public magnet schools
Barrio Centro is part of the Tucson Unified School District, rated B overall by Niche. Local kids can start at the B-rated Borton Primary Magnet School, before moving on to the B-minus-rated Mansfeld Magnet Middle; both are magnet schools for STEM subjects. Teens may continue their STEM learning at the B-rated Tucson Magnet High, which also offers career and technical education courses in subjects like bioscience, precision machining and film.
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Barrio Centro Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Barrio Centro, Tucson sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Barrio Centro, Tucson over the last 12 months is $249,500, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Wonderful 2 bed room 1 bath with xtra den/office space off the dining room and a detached mancave/workout shed in back that is around 200sf with mini split. There is also an Az room with a large sized bak yard for all your family gatherings. Owner has solar panels that are owned that convey with the home and all appliances convey as well. Home feels way bigger than the listed square footage .
Welcome to Casita Bonita! This beautifully maintained 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is located in a prime Tucson location. Step inside to find newer plank flooring throughout the main living areas and fresh carpet in the guest bedrooms. This home features timeless mid-century character, highlighted by exposed wood beams and a stylish backsplash that adds a touch of vintage flair. The layout is open and
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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.
