Performance
Score Breakdown
Tuscaloosa
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Northport.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,490 | $1,500 | -1% |
| Groceries | $340 | $423 | -20% |
| Utilities | $219 | $158 | +39% |
| Transport | $160 | $385 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $263 | -77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,269 | $2,729 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tuscaloosa offers 22% 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
$55,000 vs $40,836 in Northport.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,581 | $43,761 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $40,836 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,888 idx | 44,654 idx |
| Household Income | $51,464 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Tuscaloosa 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 | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 11.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,288 | 33,797 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.00% | 4.10% |
| Median Age | 27.2 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tuscaloosa
Advantages
The cost of living in Tuscaloosa is 12% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing expenses are significantly lower, with home prices 26% cheaper than the U.S. average and a median home sale price of $300,000 as of May 2026.
The city boasts a healthy job market with a 1.64% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024, driven by strong sectors like manufacturing, education, and healthcare.
Healthcare costs are approximately 21% lower than the national average, and local hospitals have demonstrated improved patient safety and quality.
Tuscaloosa offers a vibrant college-town atmosphere due to the University of Alabama, contributing to a lively cultural and social scene.
Drawbacks
Tuscaloosa has a higher crime rate, with overall crime being 43% above the national average and a C- safety grade in 2026.
The city is car-dependent, with a low Walk Score of 33 and a Transit Score of 11, indicating limited public transportation and walkability.
Summers are characterized by long, hot, and muggy conditions, with uncomfortably high humidity levels.
While the median household income is $51,464, the median individual income is considerably lower at $27,157, suggesting income disparities.
Utilities costs are 11% higher than the national average, which can impact monthly budgets despite overall lower living costs.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 2% lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being 23.8% lower.
Northport is known for being a safe place to live, contributing to peace of mind for residents.
The city boasts a livability score of 76 out of 100, ranking well for amenities, cost of living, and housing.
The median household income in Northport was $80,913 in 2024, reflecting a 4.03% one-year growth.
The average home value increased by 2.3% over the past year to $268,786 as of April 2026.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options within Northport are very limited, making the city largely car-dependent.
The average Walk Score for Northport is 27, indicating that most errands require a car.
While the overall cost of living is lower, food expenses are slightly above the national average.
Job growth rate data for Northport specifically is not readily available, with some data indicating a slight decline in employed population in 2024.
Summers in Northport are long, hot, and muggy, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tuscaloosa
#39Alabama, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,490
Avg Salary
$53,581
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
11.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.00%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
69
Business
68
Northport
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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