Lancaster 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 107,699 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 4.7% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 21.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.6% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 5.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $48,536 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 23.8% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 45.1% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 42.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 21.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.7% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 65.0°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 55.0 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Lancaster. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Lancaster, CA vs New York, NYLancaster, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lancaster, CAHouston, TX vs Lancaster, CALancaster, CA vs Phoenix, AZLancaster, CA vs Philadelphia, PA