Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Newark
16.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 107,699 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 4.7% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 46.7% | 42.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 5.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $51,690 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 400 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1734 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 42.6% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 21.3% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 65.0°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 55.0 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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