Garden Grove CA vs Tuscaloosa AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 107,699 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 4.7% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 1.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 2.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 5.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $48,536 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $31,324 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 23.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 45.1% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 42.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.3% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.7% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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