Tucson 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 107,699 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 4.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 49.6% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 5.2% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $48,536 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 7.0% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 23.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 45.1% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 42.6% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.0% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.1% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.7% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | 55.0 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 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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