Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 107,699 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 49.6% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.6% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 5.2% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $48,536 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $31,324 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 23.8% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 45.1% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 42.6% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 21.3% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 65.0°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 55.0 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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