Performance
Score Breakdown
Tuscaloosa
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tuscaloosa's average rent is
25% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,490 | $1,995 | -25% |
| Groceries | $340 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $219 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $160 | $120 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $250 | -76% |
| Monthly Total | $2,269 | $2,995 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 115 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 20% 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 Tuscaloosa is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,560 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,581 | $66,812 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,888 idx | 58,097 idx |
| Household Income | $51,464 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| 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 1 minutes of each other.
Vestavia Hills 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 | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 11.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,288 | 40,556 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.00% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 27.2 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 1.80% |
| 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.
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a crime rate 51% below the national average as of 2026, making it a very safe community.
The city's public schools are highly rated, contributing to its reputation as an excellent place for families.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Residents enjoy a high quality of life, with a livability score of 83/100, placing it in the 97th percentile of cities.
The average commute time of 19.3 minutes is shorter than the national average, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is notably higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Walkability in Vestavia Hills is low, with a walk score of 0/100, indicating high car dependency.
Public transportation options are limited, requiring most residents to rely on personal vehicles for commuting and daily errands.
While overall crime is low, the robbery rate in Vestavia Hills is 28% above the national average as of 2026.
The city's amenities score is rated 'F' by one source, suggesting potential limitations in certain recreational or service offerings.
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
Vestavia Hills
#7Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$66,812
Cost Index
115
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
83
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Tuscaloosa and Vestavia Hills.
Open Cost Calculator