Tuscaloosa AL vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 102,558 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 33.0 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 49.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 42.8% | 12.9% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 25.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.9% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.9% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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