Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 107,699 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 4.7% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 49.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.2% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $48,536 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $31,324 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $51,690 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.8% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 38.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $231,461 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 45.1% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 42.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.3% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.7% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 55.0 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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