Sunnyvale 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)
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
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
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 107,699 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 4.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 1.5% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 2.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $48,536 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $31,324 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 7.0% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 23.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 38.1% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 42.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.0% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 21.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 11.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 14.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Sunnyvale, 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.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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