Riverside 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)
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 107,699 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 4.7% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 6.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 2.6% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 5.2% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $48,536 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $31,324 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 23.8% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 45.1% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Riverside, 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
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 42.6% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.0% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.3% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.7% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 55.0 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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