Tuscaloosa AL vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $280,921 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Waterbury
40.5%
Waterbury +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 40.5% | Waterbury + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 18.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waterbury scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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