Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 107,699 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 85.2% | 49.6% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.2% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $51,690 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.0% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 23.8% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 42.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.0% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 21.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.5% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | 65.0°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 55.0 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | 20.0 min | Springfield + |
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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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