Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 107,699 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 4.7% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 49.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 2.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 5.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $48,536 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $31,324 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 23.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 45.1% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 42.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.3% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 55.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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