Cincinnati 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 107,699 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 4.7% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 38.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $48,536 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $31,324 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 38.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 42.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 21.3% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 65.0°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 55.0 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, 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
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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