Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 543,348 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 13.7% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 8.5% | 5.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 42.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $54,546 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $31,152 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 18.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 30.2% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 33.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.3% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 69.8°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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