Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 107,699 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 4.7% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 17.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 2.6% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 5.2% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $48,536 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $31,324 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 23.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 45.1% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 42.6% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 21.3% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.7% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 65.0°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 55.0 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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