Performance
Score Breakdown
Tuscaloosa
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% lower compared to Homewood.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Groceries | $450 | $440 | +2% |
| Utilities | $250 | $275 | -9% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $121 | $625 | -81% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,820 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Homewood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tuscaloosa is estimated at
$39,720 vs $55,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,163 | $65,695 |
| Salary Needed | $39,720 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,256 idx | 71,408 idx |
| Household Income | $51,464 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tuscaloosa.
Homewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,477 | 28,830 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.89% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 27.2 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 2.10% |
| 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.
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood offers a high quality of life with a strong community feel and excellent local amenities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a robust job market.
Homewood provides convenient access to major employment centers and top-tier healthcare facilities in downtown Birmingham.
The overall cost of living is lower than the national average, despite higher housing costs compared to the broader metro area.
Homewood is noted for its walkability, allowing residents to access many local amenities on foot.
Drawbacks
Housing costs in Homewood are significantly higher than in other parts of the Birmingham metropolitan area.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 82% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
Public transportation options are limited, with only 1% of residents relying on public transit.
Major traffic congestion can be an issue on key routes like US-280, impacting commute times.
The median household income saw a 12.8% decline in 2024, despite a high average household income.
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
Homewood
#5Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,695
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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