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Tuscaloosa, AL

Cost of living in Tuscaloosa County, AL

Part of the Tuscaloosa Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,901/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 234,036 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $922 32%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $432 15%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $306 11%
Energy $237 8%
State tax $149 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Tuscaloosa County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$916
per month
1 bedroom
$922
per month
2 bedroom
$1,138
per month
3 bedroom
$1,450
per month
4 bedroom
$1,509
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Tuscaloosa County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$63,947
per year
Individual earnings
$36,448
per year
Per capita
$33,674
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Tuscaloosa County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$233,700
Annual property tax
$754

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Tuscaloosa County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$179
per month · 15.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$58
per month
Annual total
$2,844
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Tuscaloosa County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Tuscaloosa County

State and local tax rates for Alabama.

State income tax
5.0%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
9.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Tuscaloosa County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.1 min
Drive alone
79.6%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
6.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Tuscaloosa County

What it costs to live in Tuscaloosa County each month.

Single person
$2,901
per month
  • Rent $922
  • Energy $237
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $432
  • State tax $149
Couple
$4,257
per month
  • Rent $1,138
  • Energy $284
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $716
  • State tax $263
Family
$6,699
per month
  • Rent $1,450
  • Energy $356
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $716
  • State tax $263

Frequently asked questions about Tuscaloosa County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Tuscaloosa County?

In Tuscaloosa County, AL, a one-bedroom apartment averages $922 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,138 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,450 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Tuscaloosa County?

In Tuscaloosa County, AL, the average household income is $63,947 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,448 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Tuscaloosa County?

The estimated cost of living in Tuscaloosa County, AL is approximately $2,901 per month for a single person, $4,257 for a couple, $6,699 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Tuscaloosa County?

The combined sales tax rate in Tuscaloosa County, AL is 9.24%, which includes the Alabama state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 5.24%.

Is Tuscaloosa County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Tuscaloosa County, AL would need approximately $2,901 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $63,947 per year ($5,329 per month). Tuscaloosa County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Tuscaloosa County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Tuscaloosa County, AL is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Tuscaloosa County?

The average home value in Tuscaloosa County, AL is $233,700, with average annual property taxes of $754, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Tuscaloosa County compare to other areas?

You can compare Tuscaloosa County, AL with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Tuscaloosa County is in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area.

Other counties in Alabama

Browse the full list of counties in Alabama, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Alabama

Compare Tuscaloosa County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources