Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Irving
36.7%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 107,699 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 4.7% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 12.9% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 2.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 5.2% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $48,536 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $31,324 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.0% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 23.8% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 38.1% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 42.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.0% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 21.3% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.7% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, 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 Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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