At a Glance
Median Income
$48,536
$31,324 per capita
Home Value
$236,600
Zillow: $245,668
Median Rent
$1,005/mo
34.5% of income on rent
Violent Crime
563/100K
2,752/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
38.1%
91.3% high school+
Unemployment
7.0%
15.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
46.6%
17.2% smoking rate
How Tuscaloosa Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Tuscaloosa's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Tuscaloosa a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Tuscaloosa residents earn a median household income of $48,536 , which is 35% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $31,324. The unemployment rate stands at 7.0% (94% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 5,406 business establishments, including 507 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Tuscaloosa is $236,600 , 16% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $245,668. Median rent is $1,005/month, with 34.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1989.
Safety & Crime
Tuscaloosa reports 563 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 48% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,752/100K. The murder rate is 18.5/100K.
Education
38.1% of adults in Tuscaloosa hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(13% above the national average).
91.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Tuscaloosa has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C).
Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.
Data Overview
People
Population107,699
Median Age28.2 yrs
Density1,722/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born4.7%
Veterans5.4%
Economy
C+
Median Income$48,536
Per Capita$31,324
Unemployment7.0%
Poverty15.2%
County GDP$14,447M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,145
Housing
B+
Home Value$236,600
Rent$1,005
Ownership45.1%
Zillow$245,668
Housing Units50,999
Rent Burden34.5%
Crime
F
Violent563/100K
Property2,752/100K
Murder18.5/100K
Assault465/100K
Burglary321/100K
Health
Obesity46.6%
Diabetes15.0%
Smoking17.2%
Heart Disease6.6%
Premature Death10,422/100K
Climate
Avg Temp64°F
Rain57.3 in/yr
AQI37 (Good)
Elevation292 ft
Education
A
Bachelor's+38.1%
High School+91.3%
Graduate+17.2%
School Score4.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute18 min
Broadband85.2%
Internet Speed150 Mbps
EV Stations25
Libraries4
Did You Know?
Tuscaloosa was founded in 1819.
The median home in Tuscaloosa was built in 1989.
The nearest airport is Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (50 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.471 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
11.1% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 150 Mbps.
There are 507 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 41 fatal vehicle crashes.