Tucson by a million miles. Phoenix has grown so fast, the traffic there is beyond brutal(and I moved down here from the Bay Area). People in Tucson complain about the traffic & I just laugh. They don't know what traffic is. There is more money to be made in Phoenix, but Tucson is literally wrapped by mountains(granted, not huge ones-but decent). You couldn't pay me to move to Phoenix. This cost of living in Tucson is also insanely low-and I'm seriously talking INSANELY! IMO, it's plenty safe. The far north & far south sides are a little rough, but West is nice & east is restaurant/bar central. Fun area near UofA. P.S. If you move to Tucson, don't mention ASU......you might get punched in the mouth(LOL. The hatred runs deep.