Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Durham
44.0%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 107,699 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 34.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 5.2% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $48,536 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $31,324 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 23.8% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 38.1% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 45.1% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 42.6% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.0% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.7% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 65.0°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 55.0 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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