Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chandler, AZ
VS
Tuscaloosa, AL
🏆 Chandler leads 16 of 22 categories
Chandler
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,374 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
275,618 ✓ Larger
Tuscaloosa
Alabama
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,257
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
105,797
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chandler, AZ
Pros
Households earn $52,117 more per year on average
76% less violent crime than Tuscaloosa
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (133.4 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 46.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 56°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $423,900
Higher rents — median is $1,675/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Tuscaloosa
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Tuscaloosa, AL
Pros
Homes cost $196k less ($228,300 vs $423,900)
Rent averages $695/mo less ($980 vs $1,675)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Chandler
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 106°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
Cons
Median income trails Chandler by $52,117/yr
Violent crime (553.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2731.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chandler
Median Income
$52,117
$99,374 vs $47,257/yr
Chandler
Violent Crime
76% lower
133.4 vs 553.4 per 100k
Chandler
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.8% unemployment
Chandler
Summer Heat
13.7°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 92.2°F
Tuscaloosa
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 101.4 (100 = US avg)
Tuscaloosa
Median Home Value
$196k less
$228,300 vs $423,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Tuscaloosa, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.4⚠ High | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $423,900⚠ High | $228,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,675⚠ High | $980 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,374 ✓ Higher | $47,257 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 18.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 5.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 146⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.2% ✓ Higher | 38.1% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | Tuscaloosa City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 56.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 92.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.7" ✓ Drier | 58.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 275,618 ✓ Larger | 105,797 |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 45.7% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 17.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandler's cost of living index is 101.4 vs Tuscaloosa's 90.0 (US average = 100).
Tuscaloosa is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chandler leads 16 of 22 categories. Chandler wins 16 and Tuscaloosa wins 6. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chandler to Tuscaloosa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,900 vs $228,300 median home), income ($99,374 vs $47,257), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chandler, AZ and Tuscaloosa, AL are about 1,402 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.