Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 107,699 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 4.7% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 37.5% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.6% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 42.6% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 65.0°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 55.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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