Tuscaloosa AL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 34.9 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 49.6% | 39.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 42.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $580,173 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 41.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 24.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 32.8 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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