San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 107,699 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 4.7% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 5.1% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 2.6% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 5.2% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $48,536 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $31,324 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.0% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 23.8% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 38.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 42.6% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.0% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 21.3% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.5% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.7% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 65.0°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 55.0 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Francisco, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CAChicago, IL vs San Francisco, CAHouston, TX vs San Francisco, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Francisco, CA