Tuscaloosa AL vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 35.7 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 49.6% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 42.8% | 9.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 30.9% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 449 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2174 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.4% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.2 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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