Tuscaloosa AL vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Warren
138,128
Warren +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
20.9%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 138,128 | Warren + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 37.9 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 49.6% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 42.8% | 20.9% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 2.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Warren
$63,741
Warren +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Warren
$32,162
Warren +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Warren
$58,052
Warren +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $63,741 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $32,162 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Warren + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.4% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 20.4% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Warren
39.1%
Warren +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
18.0%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 39.1% | Warren + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
55.0%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.9 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Warren leads in median household income at $63,741, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Warren. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Warren scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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