Maybe "higher rent" isn't accurate so much as less stable rent prices. Because of the UA + Davis Monthan + Raytheon, a 1-bedroom apartment can fluctuate between 450 and 750 a month throughout the year. Availability for places is also DISMAL when the U of A is in session, there's wait lists for almost every property application.

Phoenix, on the other hand, will run about ~150 more per month on average for a 1-bedroom but those prices are very stable and there's a TON of available places year-round. It takes a couple months of prep work and searching to move into a place in Tucson, but you can do it in a couple weeks in Phoenix. There's also a lot more places that include utilities.