Catalina Foothills, Arizona: hillside homes north of Tucson
The unincorporated hillside neighborhoods between the Tucson city limits and the Santa Catalina Mountains: about 52,000 people, two ZIP codes, no city property tax, and most of the region's luxury market, 15 to 20 minutes from downtown.
- About 15 to 20 minutes north of downtown Tucson, roughly 30 to the airport
- 85718 west of Craycroft Road, 85750 east of it
- About 2,600 feet at the base to well over 3,000 feet on the upper streets
- All ages; not an age-restricted area. The 55+ communities we cover are in Green Valley, Sahuarita, Oro Valley, Marana, and SaddleBrooke
- No GVR-style membership; HOA dues depend on the subdivision or townhome association, so ask us for the figure on a specific home
- Unincorporated Pima County, so no city property tax; a winter home is Legal Class 4 with no homeowner rebate
The Catalina Foothills is the unincorporated band of hillside neighborhoods between the Tucson city limits and the Santa Catalina Mountains, home to about 52,000 people and most of the region's luxury market. Downtown Tucson is 15 to 20 minutes south and the airport roughly 30.
These are Tucson's most expensive ZIP codes, and we say so up front. The price buys views, privacy, and top-tier dining and medical care close by. Our office is on East River Road in 85718, one of the two Foothills ZIPs.
Homes and the two ZIP codes
Craycroft Road roughly divides the area. ZIP 85718, to the west, is closer to restaurants, La Encantada, and the resorts. ZIP 85750, to the east, is quieter and backs up to Sabino Canyon.
Expect custom and semi-custom homes on desert lots, many with city-light views south and Pusch Ridge north, plus a good stock of townhomes and patio homes that suit lock-and-leave snowbirds.
On a Foothills showing we spend more time on views, drainage, and washes than on square footage; in this terrain they matter more. The Catalina Foothills School District is a draw for relocating families and grandparents alike.
Fees, dues and taxes
There is no area-wide membership here. Green Valley homes carry GVR dues of $545 per household for 2026 plus a one-time $3,200 membership change fee at closing; the Foothills has no equivalent. HOA dues follow the subdivision or townhome association, so we read the documents on each home before you offer.
The Foothills is unincorporated Pima County, so there is no city property tax. Homes inside the Tucson city limits carry a City of Tucson levy on top of county and school taxes; the Foothills does not. We pull the Treasurer's history on every home before an offer goes out.
A winter home is Legal Class 4: the same 10% assessment ratio as a primary residence, minus the homeowner rebate of up to $600 a year. Proposition 117 caps growth in the taxable value at 5% a year, and Arizona has no real estate transfer tax.
Year-round or seasonal
The Foothills is on our snowbird list: upscale homes with mountain and city views, close to dining and shopping, and a townhome and patio-home stock that makes lock-and-leave straightforward. Winter days here typically run in the 60s and 70s.
Green Valley is the most snowbird-heavy corner of Southern Arizona and is organized around GVR amenities; the Foothills is a regular year-round area, and nothing comes bundled with the house. Summer upkeep is the usual Tucson list: a home-watch service, water off at the main, and a thermostat holding the low to mid 80s.
Who it fits
It fits buyers who want views, privacy, and top-tier dining and medical care nearby. Relocating families and grandparents come for the school district, and seasonal owners for a private home or a lock-and-leave townhome rather than a rec center.
If dollar-for-dollar value is the priority, or you want a 55+ community with pools and clubs in the dues, start with Green Valley instead. If you are new to Tucson, rent for a season first and visit at least three communities before you buy.
Homes for Sale in Catalina Foothills
2850 E Camino A Los Vientos
4525 N Camino Escuela
5200 N Camino Antonio Lot 6
4925 N La Lomita
5555 N Via Entrada
5500 N Hacienda Del Sol Road
Questions About Catalina Foothills
Does the Catalina Foothills have a city property tax?
No. The Foothills is unincorporated Pima County, so there is no city line on the bill, unlike homes inside the Tucson city limits. You still pay the county and school district levies, plus any fire or special district that covers the parcel.
Are there HOA fees in the Catalina Foothills?
It depends on the neighborhood. There is no area-wide membership like Green Valley's GVR, which is $545 a year for 2026 plus $3,200 at closing. Foothills dues follow the subdivision or townhome association, so ask us for the current figure on a specific home.
How far is the Catalina Foothills from downtown Tucson and the airport?
About 15 to 20 minutes to downtown and roughly 30 minutes to Tucson International Airport. The west side, ZIP 85718, is closer to restaurants, La Encantada, and the resorts.
Is the Catalina Foothills a good choice for a snowbird?
It can be, if you want a private home or a lock-and-leave townhome with mountain and city views close to dining and shopping. There is no GVR-style amenity package, and Green Valley is the more snowbird-heavy area.
Guides for Catalina Foothills Buyers
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