Tuscaloosa is a mid-sized city of 105,797 in Alabama, with a median household income of $47,257
and a 6.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Tuscaloosa stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Tuscaloosa is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Tuscaloosa city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.0
Tuscaloosa's overall cost of living index is 90.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Tuscaloosa costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Tuscaloosa, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$228,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$980
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
45.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$47,257
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Tuscaloosa's violent crime rate is 553.4 per 100,000 residents
— 46% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
553.4 /100k
Property Crime
2731.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Tuscaloosa is served primarily by Tuscaloosa City.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Tuscaloosa, AL
National Avg
School District
Tuscaloosa City
—
Elementary Schools
12
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
38.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Tuscaloosa sees average highs of 56.0°F in January
and 92.2°F in July,
with 58.1 inches of annual precipitation
.
Tuscaloosa's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Tuscaloosa roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $228,300 and median rent is $980/month.
Tuscaloosa's violent crime rate is 553.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2731.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Tuscaloosa are operated by Tuscaloosa City.
The district has 12 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. 38.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Tuscaloosa, AL has a population of 105,797, a median household income of $47,257, and an unemployment rate of 6.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Tuscaloosa averages 56.0°F in January and 92.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 58.1 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Tuscaloosa, AL is covered by 6 ZIP codes: 35406, 35401, 35405, 35404, 35487, 35456.
The population of Tuscaloosa, Alabama is 105,797 with a median age of 28.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Tuscaloosa: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $228,300, median household income $47,257, crime index 139 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Tuscaloosa side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
