New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 107,699 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 4.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 30.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.6% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $48,536 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $31,324 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $51,690 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 400 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1734 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.6% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 21.3% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 65.0°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 55.0 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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