Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 107,699 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 49.6% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 2.6% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.2% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $48,536 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $31,324 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.0% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 23.8% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 38.1% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 45.1% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 42.6% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.0% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 21.3% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.7% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 65.0°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 55.0 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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