Performance
Score Breakdown
Tuscaloosa
Enterprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Enterprise.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Enterprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,375 | +5% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Transport | $120 | $375 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $121 | $256 | -53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,606 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tuscaloosa offers 56% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tuscaloosa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tuscaloosa is estimated at
$39,720 vs $24,300 in Enterprise.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,163 | $34,809 |
| Salary Needed | $39,720 | $24,300 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,256 idx | 36,641 idx |
| Household Income | $51,464 | $73,125 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Tuscaloosa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tuscaloosa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Enterprise.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Enterprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,477 | 31,231 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.89% | 0.57% |
| Median Age | 27.2 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $— | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Enterprise
Advantages
The cost of living in Enterprise is 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Enterprise's housing market is strong, with an A+ rating for housing affordability and robust appreciation rates.
The Enterprise-Ozark Micropolitan area was ranked as the strongest economy in Alabama and 28th strongest nationally.
Medical Center Enterprise received an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade in Spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare services.
The average commute time of 20.1 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
Enterprise's total crime rate is 42% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 74% higher.
The city has limited public transportation options, leading to high car dependency for residents.
Some residents feel the city is having difficulty keeping up with the demand for new public schools and retail outlets despite its growth.
The safety score for Enterprise is relatively low at 19/100.
Amenities are rated poorly in Enterprise, potentially requiring residents to travel for certain services or entertainment.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tuscaloosa
#65Alabama, 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
Enterprise
#65Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,375
Avg Salary
$34,809
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.57%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
65
Business
75
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