Tuscaloosa AL vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 37.5 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 49.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 42.8% | 14.9% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $265,013 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 42.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tuscaloosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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