Roanoke 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 4.7% | Roanoke + |
| White | 57.5% | 49.6% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 5.2% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $48,536 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $31,324 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.0% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.8% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 45.1% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 42.6% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.3% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.1% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 65.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 55.0 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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