Performance
Score Breakdown
Tuscaloosa
Gadsden
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Tuscaloosa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tuscaloosa's average rent is
73% higher than Gadsden's.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Gadsden | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $839 | +73% |
| Groceries | $450 | $589 | -24% |
| Utilities | $250 | $271 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $400 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $121 | $150 | -19% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,249 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gadsden offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gadsden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tuscaloosa is estimated at
$39,720 vs $29,004 in Gadsden.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,163 | $55,742 |
| Salary Needed | $39,720 | $29,004 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,256 idx | 65,579 idx |
| Household Income | $51,464 | $40,345 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Tuscaloosa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Gadsden.
For walkability, Tuscaloosa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 3.5x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gadsden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,477 | 33,219 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.89% | % |
| Median Age | 27.2 | 38.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Gadsden
Advantages
The cost of living in Gadsden is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with median home values at $167,100 in 2024 and average 1-bedroom rent at $796 in July 2026.
Gadsden boasts natural attractions like Noccalula Falls Park and access to the Coosa River, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Recent major investments, such as Minth Group Limited's $430 million project, are creating over 1,300 new jobs in the automotive manufacturing sector.
Healthcare costs in Gadsden are approximately 23.4% to 24% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Gadsden's population is projected to decline by -0.44% annually in 2026.
The city has a higher crime rate, with overall crime 49% above the national average and violent crime 62% higher.
Gadsden is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 25 and limited public transit options.
The median household income of $40,345 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Utilities, particularly energy bills, are reported to be higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tuscaloosa
#81Alabama, 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
Gadsden
#120Alabama, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$839
Avg Salary
$55,742
Cost Index
85
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
59
Business
60
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