Akron OH 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)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 107,699 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 4.7% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 49.6% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $48,536 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 23.8% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $231,461 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 45.1% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 42.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 21.3% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 65.0°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 55.0 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tuscaloosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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