$425,298Average Value$235Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
A slowly growing Tucson exurb in the open desert
Picture Rocks is named for the hundreds of Hohokam petroglyphs inscribed into its desert boulders around 1,000 years ago. For much of this community, little has changed since then. Open desert full of cactus and wildlife continues to define this northwestern exurb of Tucson, much of it untouched by suburban development. Lower than average property prices and dry weather alike have attracted retirees just as spacious property sizes have long appealed to horse owners and nature lovers. Though Picture Rocks may have a “high desert” feel, both the big city and suburban shopping conveniences are just a short drive away.
High desert forms residents' back yards
Homebuilders made initial forays into Picture Rocks during the 1960s and 1970s, however growth has slowed and it is now home to 9,500 residents. Manufactured homes and site-built homes alike vary in year of construction from the 1960s to the early 2020s, and the priciest properties tend to be located close to Saguaro National Park or in the Tucson Avra subdivision at the city’s southwestern edge. Main thoroughfares like Manville Road tend to be paved, while residential lanes are often not and are maintained by the homeowners themselves. The desert forms an expansive back yard for most of Picture Rocks’ residences, and it’s not uncommon to encounter coyotes, tarantulas and other creatures of the Sonora Desert. Picture Rocks’ median home price of $270,000 is significantly below the Tucson median, but the average home value nearly doubled from 2020 to the start of 2025 as Picture Rocks and Tucson’s other exurbs have attracted attention for their competitive prices.
Vast national parks preserve hundreds of thousands of pristine desert
Picture Rocks may itself feel like a massive nature preserve due to its wide-open desert, and it shares this wealth of nature with neighboring parks. The Saguaro National Park is defined by an abundance of saguaro, the nation’s largest cacti, and preserves 92,000 acres of Western landscapes while offering 165 miles of hiking, cycling and equestrian trails. Within this park, millennium-old petroglyphs tell the story of the ancient Hohokam civilization, which vanished a century before the Spanish arrived in Arizona. An access point to the Ironwood Forest National Monument, which preserves another 129,055 acres of Sonoran landscapes and Hohokam archaeological sites, sits at the southwest edge of Picture Rocks. For a laid-back outdoor outing, the family-owned Funny Foot Farm offers guided tours of its menagerie, which houses capybaras, kangaroos, goats, warthogs and many other animals.
Retail options lay just beyond Picture Rocks' borders
Though largely natural in character, Picture Rocks is not far away from modern shopping and dining amenities. Just beyond this exurb’s northeast frontier, Twin Peaks Road is home to the local Safeway supermarket and a handful of eateries with specialties varying from pizza to Mexican cuisine and Chinese takeout. This road, together with the neighboring Silverbell Road, offers access to several more shopping centers, grocery stores and food outlets as they converge on Tucson.
Marana High is experiencing a rebirth
Picture Rocks’ students attend the Marana Unified School District, which scores a B-plus rating from Niche. Marana High School is currently undergoing a restoration project to beautify its aging infrastructure and better accommodate its growing student population. The school already offers dual enrollment programs with Pima Community College to help students prepare for their collegiate futures, while the school also offers CTE programs for career-minded learners.
Keeping safe in Picture Rocks
Picture Rocks receives a CAP Index score of 1, indicating a minimal risk of crime. However, it also contends with serious flood and wildfire risks. Picture Rocks formed a fire and medical district in 1977 to help residents combat natural disasters. This is the desert and the area gets about six inches of rain a year and temperatures in the summer often hover above 100 degrees.
Highway access to Tucson
Major roads like Interstate 10 provide access to Tucson within a 25-mile drive and Tucson International Airport within 32 miles. The nearest hospital, the Carondelet Marana Emergency Center, is situated along Interstate 10, which sits just beyond Picture Rocks’ eastern boundary. Along with the local retail and construction industries, healthcare is among Picture Rocks' largest fields of employment.
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
Are you familiar with the Picture Rocks neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Picture Rocks
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Picture Rocks Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Picture Rocks, Tucson sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Picture Rocks, Tucson over the last 12 months is $332,500, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover 4410 N Parrot Lane in Marana, a 5 acre desert property with sweeping mountain views, wide open space, and endless potential. The 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home offers a functional layout ready for customization. The property provides flexibility for horses, RV parking, equipment, or future improvements. This property offers incredible potential in a scenic rural setting.
MOTIVATED SELLER! Investor special with endless potential on 1.777 acres! This 880 sq ft mobile home offers 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and is ready for a complete renovation or replacement. The horse-friendly lot provides plenty of space for animals, RVs, toys, workshops, or future improvements. Enjoy peaceful surroundings and beautiful mountain views while creating your own private retreat.
Brand new construction on a beautiful 1 acre lot in the heart of Picture Rocks with no HOA! Enjoy the freedom of rural living with plenty of space for horses, RVs, trailers, and all your outdoor toys. This thoughtfully designed home features modern finishes, an open concept floor plan, and quality craftsmanship throughout.Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, you'll enjoy
Check out this HUGE 2.78 acre vacant lot, now for sale! This is the perfect place to build the home of your dreams and still have more than enough space for a pool, guest house, or even horse keeping! PLUS! Don't forget about the wonderful mountain views! What are you waiting for? Don't miss out! Zoning Pima-GR1
5 acres of beautiful Arizona desert ready for your new home. Manufactured homes welcome. Horse property with breath taking sunset and mountain views. Quiet, peaceful area with minimal neighbors.
Expansive 5-acre parcel in Avra Valley offering flexible Pima County RH zoning, allowing for single-family, manufactured or mobile homes, multifamily potential, and agricultural uses. Recently and legally split with recorded survey and deed, this property presents an excellent opportunity for investors, developers, or buyers looking to build or place a home with room to grow. Enjoy wide-open
21-acre parcel in the rapidly growing Avra Valley/Marana area is a fantastic opportunity for horse lovers, thoselooking to develop a ranchette estate, or anyone interested in a great investment. With utilities (including power and a well),new roads, and a seller offering seller financing, this land is ready for development. The versatility of the land allows for multiple
Build your vision from the ground up on this expansive 5-acre vacant lot at 15195 W Scrub Brush Road. Offering wide-open space and endless possibilities, this property is ideal for those seeking privacy, room to grow, or an investment opportunity in a peaceful setting. Enjoy breathtaking desert landscapes, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and the freedom of rural living while still being within
5 acres with NO HOA and stunning mountain views! Flat, buildable land ready for your custom home, ranch, or desert retreat. Bring your horses, RVs, and toys with plenty of room to roam. Parcel includes a share in a recorded shared well agreement, with water available at the property line and electricity nearby. Enjoy peaceful rural living while remaining conveniently close to Marana amenities,
Great opportunity to own an affordable one-acre desert lot tucked away in a quiet, peaceful setting. This hidden little spot offers natural desert landscaping, open skies, mountain views, and plenty of room to create your own Arizona retreat. Water and electricity are available at the lot line, with water through a shared well. The property offers flexibility for either a manufactured home or
Situated on nearly two acres, this property offers peaceful, quiet surroundings with beautiful scenic views. The home features an updated primary bathroom and upgraded granite countertops, along with a spacious double vanity. A perfect blend of comfort and charm; this is truly a must see home. Seller to provide Seller Concessions with acceptable offer.
Nestled behind the gates of Tierra Linda Nueva, this impeccably maintained residence offers 2,688 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space on a quiet, nearly one-acre homesite. Showcasing a desirable split bedroom floor plan with four bedrooms and three full baths, the home is filled with natural light, enhanced by soaring ceilings and an open, inviting layout. Designed for both everyday
Discover the perfect blend of comfort, charm, and peaceful desert living in this beautifully 2-bedrooms, 1-bath manufactured home. Situated on a generously sized lot, this inviting home offers an open-concept layout with laminate flooring throughout, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere that's easy to maintain. Mini-splits cooling system provides efficient, customizable comfort, helping
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
