San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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 Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 107,699 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 4.7% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 49.6% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 2.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 5.2% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $48,536 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $31,324 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 23.8% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 38.1% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 45.1% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Diego, 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 Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 42.6% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.0% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 21.3% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.7% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 65.0°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 55.0 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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