Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Tuscaloosa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% lower compared to Tuscaloosa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
19% lower than Tuscaloosa's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Tuscaloosa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,181 | $1,450 | -19% |
| Groceries | $440 | $450 | -2% |
| Utilities | $275 | $250 | +10% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $121 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $2,166 | $2,391 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Birmingham offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Birmingham is estimated at
$63,000 vs $39,720 in Tuscaloosa.
| Metric | Birmingham | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,531 | $54,163 |
| Salary Needed | $63,000 | $39,720 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,034 idx | 62,256 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $51,464 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Birmingham | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Birmingham is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Tuscaloosa.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Birmingham | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,033 | 116,477 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.89% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 27.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $— |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
The cost of living in Birmingham is approximately 10% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with the average rent at $1,181 per month as of July 2026.
Birmingham is a major healthcare hub with several highly-ranked hospitals, including UAB Hospital.
The city's economy is diversifying with notable growth in technology and financial occupations.
The unemployment rate in Birmingham was 3.2% in April 2026, which is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Birmingham has a high crime rate, with a crime index of 61.14 and a homicide rate significantly above the national average in 2024.
The city's population has been experiencing a slight annual decline.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, indicating high car dependency.
Job growth in Birmingham has been below the U.S. average in recent years.
Utility costs in Birmingham are slightly higher than the national average.
Tuscaloosa
Advantages
The cost of living in Tuscaloosa is 11% to 13.1% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being 26% cheaper.
Tuscaloosa's crime rates, including homicides and property crimes, saw significant drops in 2025 compared to 2024.
The average commute time in Tuscaloosa is 19.6 minutes, which is shorter than the U.S. average.
The city has a stable and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.64% from 2023 to 2024.
Tuscaloosa was ranked among the nation's top 25 cities for small business growth from May 2024 to May 2025.
Drawbacks
Tuscaloosa's violent crime rate of 553.4 per 100,000 residents is higher than the national average of 359.1.
The city has a relatively low walkability score of 33, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Utility prices in Tuscaloosa are approximately 11% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
A significant portion of Tuscaloosa families, 25.13%, live in poverty.
The city's transit score is not widely reported and appears to be low, suggesting limited public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#68Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,181
Avg Salary
$58,531
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
68
Business
65
Tuscaloosa
#68Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$54,163
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.89%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
65
Business
70
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