City Comparison
Tuscaloosa vs Defu
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Defu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tuscaloosa
Defu
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% lower compared to Defu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tuscaloosa's average rent is
19% lower than Defu's.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Defu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,800 | -19% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $250 | $180 | +39% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $121 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,800 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tuscaloosa offers 2% 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 $55,000 in Defu.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,163 | $53,308 |
| Salary Needed | $39,720 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,256 idx | 56,114 idx |
| Household Income | $51,464 | $53,308 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tuscaloosa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Defu.
Defu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Defu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Defu is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Tuscaloosa.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Defu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,477 | 226,100 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.89% | 1.60% |
| Median Age | 27.2 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 1.90% |
| 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.
Defu
Advantages
Excellent public transportation network with MRT and bus services connecting residents island-wide.
High safety standards and low crime rates, contributing to a secure living environment.
Abundant amenities including shopping malls, diverse dining options, parks, and community facilities.
Proximity to Defu Industrial Estate offers employment opportunities in manufacturing and logistics sectors.
Mature residential town with a strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to many other global cities.
Defu itself is primarily an industrial estate, lacking residential amenities and character.
Commute times to the central business district can still be significant despite good transport links.
Aging population demographic may present future challenges for social services and healthcare demand.
Limited availability of certain specialized services directly within the immediate Defu area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tuscaloosa
#76Alabama, USA
59.7 / 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
Defu
#9North-East Region, Singapore
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$53,308
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
1.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
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