Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Tuscaloosa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Montgomery.
| Metric | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,485 | $1,450 | +2% |
| Groceries | $365 | $450 | -19% |
| Utilities | $215 | $250 | -14% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $121 | +107% |
| Monthly Total | $2,465 | $2,391 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tuscaloosa offers 34% 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 Montgomery is estimated at
$55,000 vs $39,720 in Tuscaloosa.
| Metric | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,571 | $54,163 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $39,720 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,967 idx | 62,256 idx |
| Household Income | $56,811 | $51,464 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Montgomery 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 | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Tuscaloosa.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,494 | 116,477 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.89% |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 27.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $— |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montgomery
Advantages
The cost of living in Montgomery is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Montgomery ranked #1 in Alabama for Capital Investment in New Projects in 2024, indicating a strong business environment.
The median home sale price of $205,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, offering accessible homeownership.
The city offers diverse public transportation options, including fixed-route buses and on-demand micro-transit services.
Major hospitals like Baptist Medical Center East and South have received awards for specialized care, indicating quality healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Montgomery's crime rates are 47% higher than the Alabama average, posing a concern for residents.
The city has a low Walk Score of 26 and a Transit Score of 22, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
The median household income of $56,811 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Utilities in Montgomery are about 10% pricier than the U.S. average.
The city's population experienced a slight decline of -0.5% year-over-year in 2024.
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.
Montgomery
#90Alabama, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,485
Avg Salary
$35,571
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
22.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
65
Business
75
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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