Murrieta 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)
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
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
Murrieta
84,304
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 4.7% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 49.6% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.6% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 5.2% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $48,536 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $31,324 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 23.8% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 38.1% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 45.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Murrieta, 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
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 42.6% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 21.3% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.7% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Murrieta, 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.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, 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 Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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