Tuscaloosa AL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 71,124 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 37.0 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 49.6% | 32.4% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 42.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 33.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $327,117 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1991 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.4% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | 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 +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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