Tampa 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 107,699 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 49.6% | Tampa + |
| Black | 21.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.6% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 5.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $48,536 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $31,324 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.0% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 23.8% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 38.1% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 45.1% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 42.6% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.7% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 55.0 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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