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Tuscaloosa, Alabama Retirement Guide
affordable cost of livingestablished retirement community
55
Retirement Score
Tuscaloosa, Alabama at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $297,600
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- 37.7°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 88 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- affordable cost of living, established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 55 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$297,600High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$955High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
44.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
29.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
44.5 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
93.2°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
37.7°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
49.5"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
308 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
48.4 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
20.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.8 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
105,797High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
28.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
13.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$47,257High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
45.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
5.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
38.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
23.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
50.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
42.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
4.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
2.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Tuscaloosa using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$645
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$724
Median home price used: $297,600
Median rent reference: $955 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.