Tuscaloosa, AL vs Decatur, AL: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Decatur, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Tuscaloosa works out to about $74,600 in Decatur, before taxes.
- Housing is 0.3% lower in Decatur, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,082 a month in Decatur and $1,668 in Tuscaloosa, $7,032 a year less in Decatur (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $227,000 in Decatur and $239,000 in Tuscaloosa.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Decatur was 4.7% less expensive than Tuscaloosa.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Tuscaloosa and Decatur
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.7 | 87.2 |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 58.2 | 58.1 |
| Utilities | 84.4 | 84.7 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| Category | Tuscaloosa | Decatur | Decatur vs Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.7 | 87.2 | −0.6% |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.4 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 58.2 | 58.1 | −0.3% |
| Utilities | 84.4 | 84.7 | +0.4% |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.7 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,668 | $1,082 | −35.1% |
| Typical home value | $239,000 | $227,000 | −5.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Tuscaloosa | $75,000 | $74,600 | −0.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Tuscaloosa and Decatur has been fairly stable since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 89.7 | 89.8 |
| 2009 | 89.2 | 85.2 |
| 2010 | 90.4 | 88.8 |
| 2011 | 89.5 | 90.6 |
| 2012 | 90.6 | 88.2 |
| 2013 | 90.2 | 90.7 |
| 2014 | 90.6 | 87.3 |
| 2015 | 89.5 | 90.2 |
| 2016 | 90.9 | 89.2 |
| 2017 | 92.4 | 89.0 |
| 2018 | 85.8 | 87.2 |
| 2019 | 88.5 | 84.4 |
| 2020 | 87.1 | 87.2 |
| 2021 | 88.0 | 86.2 |
| 2022 | 87.2 | 87.4 |
| 2023 | 89.1 | 89.2 |
| 2024 | 87.7 | 87.2 |
Goods
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.2 | 96.7 |
| 2009 | 94.3 | 94.8 |
| 2010 | 96.5 | 96.5 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 96.5 |
| 2012 | 95.7 | 96.7 |
| 2013 | 96.5 | 97.2 |
| 2014 | 96.7 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 95.6 | 96.5 |
| 2016 | 96.4 | 97.2 |
| 2017 | 96.0 | 97.1 |
| 2018 | 92.5 | 92.5 |
| 2019 | 94.6 | 94.6 |
| 2020 | 94.3 | 94.3 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 93.9 |
| 2022 | 94.7 | 94.7 |
| 2023 | 94.6 | 94.6 |
| 2024 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
Housing (rents)
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 65.2 | 58.1 |
| 2009 | 65.7 | 49.1 |
| 2010 | 63.9 | 54.9 |
| 2011 | 61.3 | 56.3 |
| 2012 | 65.0 | 48.2 |
| 2013 | 60.9 | 59.1 |
| 2014 | 61.8 | 50.7 |
| 2015 | 57.7 | 57.9 |
| 2016 | 60.9 | 50.0 |
| 2017 | 71.1 | 51.8 |
| 2018 | 56.0 | 58.8 |
| 2019 | 62.9 | 45.3 |
| 2020 | 60.8 | 52.3 |
| 2021 | 59.0 | 49.7 |
| 2022 | 53.6 | 55.4 |
| 2023 | 63.2 | 58.5 |
| 2024 | 58.2 | 58.1 |
Utilities
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 91.6 | 92.2 |
| 2009 | 91.8 | 92.2 |
| 2010 | 93.6 | 93.8 |
| 2011 | 93.5 | 94.0 |
| 2012 | 95.4 | 94.5 |
| 2013 | 94.0 | 92.2 |
| 2014 | 94.3 | 93.3 |
| 2015 | 94.5 | 92.8 |
| 2016 | 94.4 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 92.8 | 92.1 |
| 2018 | 88.4 | 88.0 |
| 2019 | 86.6 | 87.5 |
| 2020 | 84.7 | 85.6 |
| 2021 | 86.0 | 86.8 |
| 2022 | 87.7 | 88.4 |
| 2023 | 89.9 | 89.8 |
| 2024 | 84.4 | 84.7 |
Other services
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.0 | 98.6 |
| 2009 | 97.2 | 98.2 |
| 2010 | 99.0 | 100.0 |
| 2011 | 100.3 | 101.5 |
| 2012 | 101.1 | 101.8 |
| 2013 | 100.1 | 100.6 |
| 2014 | 100.1 | 100.4 |
| 2015 | 100.3 | 101.0 |
| 2016 | 101.1 | 102.2 |
| 2017 | 99.6 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2019 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2020 | 96.5 | 96.5 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 98.2 |
| 2024 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,082 in Decatur vs $1,668 in Tuscaloosa
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,064 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,046 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,069 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,095 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,083 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,131 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,113 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,099 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,127 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,130 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,132 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,133 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,168 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,168 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,177 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,165 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,189 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,196 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,218 | – | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,209 | – | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,241 | – | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,276 | – | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,298 | – | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,333 | $849 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,355 | $896 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,379 | $906 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,382 | $919 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,427 | $949 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,451 | $965 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,465 | $987 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,471 | $995 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,492 | $1,001 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,516 | $1,027 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,546 | $1,027 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,545 | $1,012 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,558 | $1,035 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,579 | $1,069 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,604 | $1,056 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,636 | $1,043 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,626 | $1,063 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,639 | $1,097 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,668 | $1,082 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $227,000 in Decatur vs $239,000 in Tuscaloosa
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Decatur, AL
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Decatur, AL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $152K | $124K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $154K | $127K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $157K | $128K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $159K | $129K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $159K | $130K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $159K | $130K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $158K | $131K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $157K | $133K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $156K | $135K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $157K | $136K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $158K | $136K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $159K | $138K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $161K | $141K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $163K | $141K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $165K | $142K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $167K | $144K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $171K | $149K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $173K | $152K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $176K | $154K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $179K | $157K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $182K | $161K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $183K | $165K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $187K | $168K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $193K | $174K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $197K | $181K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $204K | $189K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $209K | $197K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $213K | $203K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $220K | $207K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $226K | $213K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $229K | $214K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $229K | $211K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $231K | $211K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $235K | $216K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $235K | $218K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $235K | $218K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $234K | $218K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $237K | $223K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $238K | $224K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $239K | $225K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $238K | $226K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $238K | $226K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $237K | $225K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $237K | $227K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $237K | $228K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $239K | $228K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $239K | $227K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.