Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 107,699 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 4.7% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 42.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 5.2% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $48,536 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $31,324 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 23.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 38.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 42.6% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.3% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.7% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 65.0°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 55.0 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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