Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Concord
54.7%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Concord
22.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 4.7% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 49.6% | Concord + |
| Black | 22.1% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 2.6% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 5.2% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $48,536 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $31,324 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.0% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 23.8% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 38.1% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 45.1% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 42.6% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 21.3% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.7% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 65.0°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 55.0 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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