Sacramento CA vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sacramento
524,802
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.7% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 12.4% | 5.0% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.1% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $54,546 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $31,152 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 18.8% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 30.2% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 33.5% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.5% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.3% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.7% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 69.8°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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