Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 13.7% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 2.1% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 3.1% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $54,546 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $31,152 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 18.8% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 30.2% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 33.5% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.7% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.5% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Fullerton +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 69.8°F | Fullerton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
32.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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