Tallahassee FL vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tallahassee
199,696
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 34.6 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 50.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 35.7% | 5.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $54,546 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $31,152 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 30.2% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $324,946 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 69.8°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.9 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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