Palmdale 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 4.7% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 49.6% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.6% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 5.2% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $48,536 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $31,324 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 23.8% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 38.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 42.6% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 21.3% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.7% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 65.0°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 55.0 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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