Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.6 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 59.2% | 58.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.1% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 30.2% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $324,946 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 33.5% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.7% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Gainesville +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 69.8°F | Gainesville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.9 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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