Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 107,699 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 4.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 22.9% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 5.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $48,536 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $31,324 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.0% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.8% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 42.6% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 21.3% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.7% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 55.0 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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