Performance
Score Breakdown
Auburn
Tuscaloosa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to Auburn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Auburn's average rent is
40% higher than Tuscaloosa's.
| Metric | Auburn | Tuscaloosa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,032 | $1,450 | +40% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $229 | $250 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $160 | $121 | +32% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $2,391 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tuscaloosa offers 6% lower 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 Auburn is estimated at
$55,000 vs $39,720 in Tuscaloosa.
| Metric | Auburn | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,096 | $54,163 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $39,720 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,225 idx | 62,256 idx |
| Household Income | $63,668 | $51,464 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Auburn | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Auburn 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 | Auburn | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Auburn.
From a growth perspective, Auburn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Auburn has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Auburn | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,918 | 116,477 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.20% | 1.89% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 27.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $— |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Auburn
Advantages
Auburn consistently ranks among the top places to live in the U.S., recognized for its high quality of life and welcoming community.
The city boasts a nationally ranked public school system, making it attractive for families. [cite: 13, 15 in previous search, 39]
Auburn's economy is strong and growing, ranking among the top 10 Best-Performing Small Cities in 2026.
The cost of living in Auburn is 4% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being particularly affordable.
Crime rates saw an overall decrease in 2024, with significant drops in violent, property, and non-violent crimes.
Drawbacks
Despite overall affordability, utility costs in Auburn are 6% higher than the national average, largely due to high energy consumption for cooling.
Auburn is primarily a car-dependent city with limited public transit options, reflected in its average Walk Score of 28.
While violent crime is low, NeighborhoodScout indicates that Auburn's property crime rate is above average compared to all communities in America. [cite: 26 in previous search]
The median age of 25.9 years, while vibrant, might indicate a younger demographic that may not appeal to all residents.
The state of Alabama's health system was ranked 42nd nationally in 2025, suggesting broader systemic challenges despite local hospital quality. [cite: 45 in previous search]
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Auburn
#21Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,032
Avg Salary
$51,096
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.20%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
70
Tuscaloosa
#64Alabama, 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
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