Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Renton
48.7%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 4.7% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 2.2% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 2.6% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 5.2% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $48,536 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $31,324 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $51,690 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 7.0% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 23.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 38.1% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 45.1% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 400 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 42.6% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.0% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.3% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.7% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 65.0°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 55.0 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Renton, WALos Angeles, CA vs Renton, WAChicago, IL vs Renton, WAHouston, TX vs Renton, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Renton, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Renton, WA