Escondido CA vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Escondido
107,066
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 13.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 0.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 3.1% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 42.7% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $54,546 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 18.8% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 33.5% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 12.2 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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