St. Louis 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 107,699 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.7% | St. Louis + |
| White | 45.7% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 43.1% | 42.8% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.6% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $48,536 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $31,324 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $51,690 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.0% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 23.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 38.1% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $231,461 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 45.1% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 42.6% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.3% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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