Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 107,699 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 4.7% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 49.6% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.6% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 5.2% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $48,536 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $31,324 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $51,690 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.0% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 23.8% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 45.1% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 400 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 42.6% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.3% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 65.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 55.0 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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