Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 107,699 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 25.6% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 67.1% | 42.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $31,324 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.0% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $231,461 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 45.1% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Tuscaloosa
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.6% | Birmingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.3% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.5% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 65.0°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 55.0 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Birmingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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