Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Springfield
40.8%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 107,699 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 4.7% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 20.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 5.2% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $48,536 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $51,690 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 45.1% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 400 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1734 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 42.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 21.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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