Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 107,699 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 4.7% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 49.6% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.6% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 5.2% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $48,536 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $31,324 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $51,690 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.0% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 38.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 45.1% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 400 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 42.6% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.0% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.5% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 65.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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