Performance
Score Breakdown
Tuscaloosa
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Tuscaloosa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tuscaloosa's average rent is
24% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,174 | +24% |
| Groceries | $450 | $350 | +29% |
| Utilities | $250 | $180 | +39% |
| Transport | $120 | $360 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $121 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,314 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tuscaloosa offers 13% higher 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 Tuscaloosa is estimated at
$39,720 vs $50,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,163 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $39,720 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,256 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $51,464 | $50,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Phenix City 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 | Tuscaloosa | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 3x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phenix City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,477 | 38,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.89% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 27.2 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 2.80% |
| 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.
Phenix City
Advantages
The cost of living in Phenix City is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are notably lower, with a median home sale price of $227,000 in May 2026, and average rent around $1,174 per month.
The city offers free fixed-route bus services through Phenix City Express, providing accessible public transportation within city limits and to Columbus, GA.
New manufacturing investments, such as Sierra Pacific Industries, are creating hundreds of jobs and contributing to economic growth.
Phenix City provides access to a larger metropolitan area (Columbus, GA) for expanded job opportunities, healthcare, and entertainment.
Drawbacks
Phenix City has a high crime rate, with a total crime rate 100% higher than the national average, impacting overall safety.
The city's walkability score is low (24/100), indicating a high reliance on personal vehicles for daily activities.
Employment experienced a decline of -3.15% from 2023 to 2024, suggesting a challenging job market despite new investments.
The poverty rate in Phenix City is high at 24.5% as of 2024.
Traffic congestion in the Columbus-Phenix City area leads to an average of 26 hours of delay per auto commuter annually.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Phenix City
#96Alabama, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,174
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
24.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
65
Business
58
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