Tuscaloosa, AL, known as 'The Druid City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Tuscaloosa County, Tuscaloosa is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Birmingham (60 miles) and Montgomery (100 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Tuscaloosa's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Tuscaloosa is home to several iconic landmarks, including the University of Alabama, the historic Bama Theatre, and the scenic Riverwalk. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Tuscaloosa Amphitheater to the bustling Midtown Village, known for its shopping and dining. Tuscaloosa's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Kentuck Festival of the Arts and the Druid City Arts Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Tuscaloosa's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Alabama contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Tuscaloosa is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Tuscaloosa Museum of Art and the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Tuscaloosa provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Tuscaloosa’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Alabama Crimson Tide (NCAA) and the Tuscaloosa Titans (APFL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Tuscaloosa include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as DCH Health System and Mercedes-Benz driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and trains, making it easy to navigate.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Tuscaloosa is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Alabama. The city has a population of 100,633 inhabitants. Tuscaloosa is mostly populated by White (51%) and Black or African American (44%) ethnic groups. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Tuscaloosa residents is 30. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Tuscaloosa, only 38% of the population is married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Tuscaloosa is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, health & safety, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Tuscaloosa and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Tuscaloosa to Alabama and the national average.
Tuscaloosa, AL receives 76 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #7 in Alabama and #2,648 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Tuscaloosa ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Tuscaloosa is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Tuscaloosa ranks well for cost of living (B), education (B+) and housing (B-) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Tuscaloosa. The following was graded with a concerning score: crime (F) and employment (F).
If you're living in Tuscaloosa, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Tuscaloosa an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Tuscaloosa: Bryant Denny Stadium, Paul W. Bryant Museum, and Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Tuscaloosa apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Tuscaloosa meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Tuscaloosa. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Tuscaloosa are simply unattainable. The median home price for Tuscaloosa homes is $190,100, which is 47.9% higher than the Alabama average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Tuscaloosa, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 48.3% higher than the Alabama average.
| Statistic | Tuscaloosa | Alabama | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.5% | 85.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.1% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.3% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 1.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.5% | 2.9% | 4.6% |
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