San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 107,699 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 4.7% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 11.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 5.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $48,536 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.0% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 23.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 45.1% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 42.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 21.3% | San Bernardino + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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