Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 107,699 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 4.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 49.6% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 2.6% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 5.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $48,536 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $31,324 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $51,690 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.0% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 23.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 38.1% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 45.1% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 400 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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