Tacoma WA 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 107,699 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 4.7% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 49.6% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 2.6% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 5.2% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $48,536 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $31,324 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $51,690 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.0% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 23.8% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 45.1% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 400 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 42.6% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 21.3% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.5% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.7% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 65.0°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 55.0 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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