Stockton 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)
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
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
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 107,699 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 4.7% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 11.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.6% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 5.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $48,536 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 23.8% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 45.1% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Stockton, 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
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 42.6% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 21.3% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.1% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.7% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 65.0°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 55.0 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, 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 Stockton. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Stockton, CALos Angeles, CA vs Stockton, CAChicago, IL vs Stockton, CAHouston, TX vs Stockton, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Stockton, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Stockton, CA