Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 107,699 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 4.7% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 49.6% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.6% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 5.2% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $48,536 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $31,324 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.0% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 23.8% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 45.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 42.6% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.0% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.3% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.7% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 55.0 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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