Tuscaloosa, AL


9 Reviews



Download our custom City Report to see exclusive
data on cost of living, crime, climate, and more.
Tuscaloosa, AL

About Tuscaloosa, AL

Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a vibrant city located in Tuscaloosa County. From its breathtaking views to its many cultural attractions, Tuscaloosa has something for everyone! Outdoor activities like Lake Nicol, Snow Hinton Park and the University of Alabama Arboretum will keep visitors entertained all day long. Plus, those looking for an educational experience can browse places like the Alabama Museum of Natural History or the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre. And when they've had their fill of activities, visitors can enjoy a delicious meal from restaurants like Dreamland BBQ or Full Moon BBQ. With so much to offer, Tuscaloosa is an ideal destination for a memorable experience! College town - West-central Alabama along I-20/I-59, 60 miles west of Birmingham.

State: Alabama
County: Tuscaloosa County
Metro Area: Tuscaloosa Metro Area
City: Tuscaloosa
Zip Codes: 35405 35401 35404 35406 35456 35446
Cost of Living:
Time zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Elevation: 160 ft above sea level

Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama, a large quality institution known among other things for its sports programs, notably football’s “Crimson Tide.” The city has a strong college-town character with the usual entertainment and cultural amenities. For such a college town, the economy has always been fairly diverse, but more recently, the arrival of a Mercedes-Benz plant has done a lot for the city’s economy as well as its image. As found elsewhere in the South, the new auto plant not only brings direct employment but also supports smaller businesses, further strengthening the economy, and that pattern is evident in the strong job statistics.

The city scores well for cost of living, especially for a college town and for healthcare and overall quality of life. Climate, crime and air service are among the negatives, although the crime issue has been improving. Educational attainment is a bit weak for a college town. Tuscaloosa has received a National Civic League All-America City Award. The area may be better than the ranking suggests.

The city is located in an area of level to low rolling hills on the banks of the Black Warrior River. Dams just to the northeast contain Lake Tuscaloosa and Bankhead Lake. Land cover is mainly agricultural and southern pine forests. The climate is humid subtropical with long, hot summers in the 90s, persistent humidity, and frequent thunderstorms. Winters are mild with temperatures above freezing most days. Spring is variable, with strong storms. Fall is mild and pleasant with an occasional tropical downpour. First freeze is early November, last is late March.

Buying or selling a home?
Find top real estate agents in Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa Cost of Living

College-town amenities, strong economy, and healthcare make Tuscaloosa a great place to live.

$192,400
-75.7% lower than avg
$44,880
-53.8% lower than avg
4.7 / 7.1
Comfort Index
summer/winter
Tuscaloosa Crime
59.7 / 100
Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low) to 100 (high). US average: 35.4
Minimum annual income
To live comfortably in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
$36,720
for a family
$33,600
for a single person
Pros & Cons of Tuscaloosa
   College-town amenities
Summer heat and humidity
   Strong economy
Educational attainment
   Healthcare
Isolation
Reviews for Tuscaloosa
    See all (9)

This is the deal with Tuscaloosa. If you have strong family support that will keep you on track, you may be okay. Alabama has too many broken, uneducated, poor  More
   |    Reply
We've lived in Tuscaloosa for several years now. It's a diverse, friendly college town -- home of the University of Alabama and it's lovely campus -- that is relatively  More
   |    Reply
Tuscaloosa used to have some character. We had a decent live music scene, an up and coming artist community, affordable housing, and there were even several places for  More
   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Tuscaloosa

Cost of Living