Tuscaloosa AL vs Vancouver WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 37.5 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 49.6% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 42.8% | 3.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 31.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $510,577 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.1 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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