Surprise AZ 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)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
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
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 107,699 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 4.7% | Surprise + |
| White | 75.0% | 49.6% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 5.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $48,536 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $31,324 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.0% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 23.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 45.1% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 42.6% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.0% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 21.3% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.7% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Surprise, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Surprise, AZChicago, IL vs Surprise, AZHouston, TX vs Surprise, AZPhoenix, AZ vs Surprise, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Surprise, AZ