Tucson AZ vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Vallejo
5.3%
Vallejo +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 68,141 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 42.1 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 58.2% | 17.9% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.0% | 5.3% | Vallejo + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 19.3% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $523,551 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.3% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 36.0 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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