Living in Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa is the 276th-largest city in the US, home to about 114,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 13.2% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well below the national average (87.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 114,316+13.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $255,5005.0 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,055/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $51,464median, per year
- Price level
- 87.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 56° / 92°lows 35° / 71°
- Average commute
- 20 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 5%top rate, graduated
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County: Tuscaloosa County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 223 ft
Metro area: Tuscaloosa, AL
Cost of living in Tuscaloosa
The median home in Tuscaloosa is worth $255,500 and the median household earns $51,464 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.0 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,055 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area at 87.7, with housing at 58.2 and goods at 96.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $65,800 here. Alabama taxes wages at a top rate of 5%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Alabama is 9.46%.
What would my salary be worth in Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa weather
Average highs run from 56°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 35°F. It gets 57 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 89 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are May and October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Tuscaloosa
People and work
The median resident is 27.2 years old, and 39% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 43% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 27.214th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 39%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 43%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,82862.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%4% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 25.1%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1988median year
Who moves to Tuscaloosa, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Montgomery (Montgomery County), Mobile (Mobile County) and Huntsville (Madison County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Huntsville (Madison County), Baldwin County, AL and Mobile (Mobile County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Tuscaloosa County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, strong wind, lightning.
Home prices
-0.1% in a year
Up 33% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Tuscaloosa, AL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
74% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Tuscaloosa, AL area (360 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Tuscaloosa
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Stillman College 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Tuscaloosa
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport BHM | 51 mi | 1,596,510 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Tuscaloosa
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | in town | 33,227 | $20,202 | 74% |
| Stillman College | 3 mi | 706 | $14,781 | 32% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Tuscaloosa
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 18, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 1 and the first frost comes around November 10.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Northport 2 S, AL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Tuscaloosa.
Wildfire smoke in Tuscaloosa
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Tuscaloosa on about 146 days a year, including about 20 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Tuscaloosa
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 42,257 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Tuscaloosa
Downtown Tuscaloosa is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 11,230 | 21 | 17.1 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Tuscaloosa County School District (19,278 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Tuscaloosa's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Tuscaloosa's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Greenville, NC83% matchCompare
- Longview, TX82% matchCompare
- Columbia, SC79% matchCompare
- Little Rock, AR78% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Pros and cons of living in Tuscaloosa
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 12% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
- Data The city is growing fast (+13.2% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.46% on average with local taxes.
- Data Poverty is high: 25.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
Tuscaloosa report card from locals
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Cities near Tuscaloosa
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover, AL | 43 mi | 93,550 | $412,200 | 91.6 | Compare |
| Birmingham, AL | 46 mi | 195,893 | $158,800 | 91.6 | Compare |
| Montgomery, AL | 99 mi | 195,300 | $161,900 | 89.7 | Compare |
| Huntsville, AL | 119 mi | 233,627 | $293,600 | 93.1 | Compare |
| Auburn, AL | 126 mi | 85,113 | $364,800 | 87.9 | Compare |
| Columbus, GA | 159 mi | 202,171 | $193,900 | 89.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Tuscaloosa with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Tuscaloosa a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, a growing population, short commutes. Compare Tuscaloosa side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Tuscaloosa?
The Census Bureau estimates Tuscaloosa had 114,316 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 101,001 in April 2020 (+13.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Tuscaloosa?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $65,800 in the Tuscaloosa area. The median household here earns $51,464.
When is the best time to visit Tuscaloosa?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May and October are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 56°F for daytime highs.
What county is Tuscaloosa in?
Tuscaloosa is in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Tuscaloosa in?
Tuscaloosa is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Tuscaloosa?
About 223 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Alabama have a state income tax?
Yes. Alabama has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Tuscaloosa. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Northport 2 S, AL station; snowfall from Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.