Tuscaloosa AL vs West Covina CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 107,436 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 40.1 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 49.6% | 20.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 29.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $851,613 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 36.1 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 503 in West Covina. West Covina has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tuscaloosa, ALLos Angeles, CA vs Tuscaloosa, ALChicago, IL vs Tuscaloosa, ALHouston, TX vs Tuscaloosa, ALPhoenix, AZ vs Tuscaloosa, ALPhiladelphia, PA vs Tuscaloosa, AL