Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 107,699 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 4.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 22.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.6% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 5.2% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $48,536 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $31,324 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.0% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 23.8% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 45.1% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 42.6% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 21.3% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.7% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 55.0 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, 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 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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