Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 107,699 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.7% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 46.8% | 42.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.2% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $231,461 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.6% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.3% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 65.0°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 55.0 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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