Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 107,699 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 4.7% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 49.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $48,536 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $31,324 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $51,690 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 45.1% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 400 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1734 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 55.0 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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