Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 107,699 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.7% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 49.6% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.6% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 5.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $48,536 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $31,324 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $51,690 | Lexington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.8% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 38.1% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 45.1% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 400 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1734 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | 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
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 65.0°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 55.0 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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