Cost of Living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Tuscaloosa County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Tuscaloosa County ranks #2,377 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 24%)
Sourced county brief
Tuscaloosa County Median Owner Costs Estimated at $1,139
In Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,139, according to 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. This figure is above the state unweighted county mean of $706. The median home value in the county was estimated at $248,700, which exceeds the state unweighted county mean of $159,660. For renters, the median gross rent was $1,037 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $820. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 30.8 percent. This official GRAPI figure is 2.2 percentage points higher than the Alabama unweighted county mean of 28.6 percent. Median renter-household income for the county was estimated at $36,149. The rentToIncomePct provided is based on the official ACS B25071 GRAPI measurement. These values represent a snapshot of housing-related financial commitments for residents. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Tuscaloosa County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.8% of renter household income in Tuscaloosa County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,037 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,139. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $41,480 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Alabama unweighted mean of county median rents is $820 per month. Tuscaloosa County's $1,037 median is 26.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Tuscaloosa County
Rent Burden
18.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,545
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.6%
of gross income
The median home in Tuscaloosa County may be a stretch
Median home value is $248,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,985 vs. your max of $1,545.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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