Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 107,699 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.7% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 62.9% | 42.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 5.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $48,536 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $31,324 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 23.8% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $231,461 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 45.1% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 42.6% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 21.3% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.1% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 65.0°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 55.0 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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