Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 107,699 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $48,536 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,324 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 38.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 42.6% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.0% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 21.3% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.5% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.7% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 65.0°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 55.0 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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