Tempe 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 107,699 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 4.7% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 49.6% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.6% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 5.2% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $48,536 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $31,324 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.0% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 23.8% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 38.1% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tempe, 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
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 42.6% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.0% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 21.3% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.7% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 55.0 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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