Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 107,699 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 4.7% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 39.9% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 5.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $48,536 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $31,324 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $51,690 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 45.1% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1734 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 65.0°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 55.0 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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