Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 107,699 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 4.7% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 49.6% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 5.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $48,536 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $31,324 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.0% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 23.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 38.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 42.6% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.0% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 21.3% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 55.0 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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