Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 107,699 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 28.2 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 4.7% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 50.7% | 49.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 35.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 5.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $48,536 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $31,324 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.8% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 38.1% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 42.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 21.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.7% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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