Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 107,699 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 4.7% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 36.1% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 5.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $51,690 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $231,461 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 400 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1734 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 42.6% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 21.3% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 65.0°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 55.0 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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