San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 107,699 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 4.7% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 7.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 5.2% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $48,536 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $31,324 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 23.8% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 45.1% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 42.6% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.3% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.7% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 55.0 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Antonio, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TXChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TXHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX