Tuscaloosa, AL vs Florence, AL: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Florence, AL is 3.3% less expensive than Tuscaloosa, AL (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Tuscaloosa works out to about $72,500 in Florence, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 18.1% less in Florence. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,073 a month in Florence and $1,668 in Tuscaloosa, $7,140 a year less in Florence (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $215,000 in Florence and $239,000 in Tuscaloosa.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Florence was 7.5% 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.
Housing drives the gap: 18.1% lower in Florence than in Tuscaloosa
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Florence, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Florence, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.7 | 84.8 |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 58.2 | 47.7 |
| Utilities | 84.4 | 85.8 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| Category | Tuscaloosa | Florence | Florence vs Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.7 | 84.8 | −3.3% |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.4 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 58.2 | 47.7 | −18.1% |
| Utilities | 84.4 | 85.8 | +1.6% |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.7 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,668 | $1,073 | −35.7% |
| Typical home value | $239,000 | $215,000 | −9.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Tuscaloosa | $75,000 | $72,500 | −3.3% |
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 Florence has narrowed since 2008: 6.5 points then, 2.9 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Florence, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Florence, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 89.7 | 83.3 |
| 2009 | 89.2 | 84.2 |
| 2010 | 90.4 | 87.9 |
| 2011 | 89.5 | 86.0 |
| 2012 | 90.6 | 88.6 |
| 2013 | 90.2 | 85.3 |
| 2014 | 90.6 | 87.1 |
| 2015 | 89.5 | 86.3 |
| 2016 | 90.9 | 85.9 |
| 2017 | 92.4 | 86.7 |
| 2018 | 85.8 | 84.0 |
| 2019 | 88.5 | 81.9 |
| 2020 | 87.1 | 82.8 |
| 2021 | 88.0 | 85.4 |
| 2022 | 87.2 | 84.5 |
| 2023 | 89.1 | 84.5 |
| 2024 | 87.7 | 84.8 |
Goods
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Florence, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Florence, 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
- Florence, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Florence, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 65.2 | 44.6 |
| 2009 | 65.7 | 45.9 |
| 2010 | 63.9 | 53.7 |
| 2011 | 61.3 | 47.0 |
| 2012 | 65.0 | 53.6 |
| 2013 | 60.9 | 46.9 |
| 2014 | 61.8 | 47.1 |
| 2015 | 57.7 | 44.9 |
| 2016 | 60.9 | 44.1 |
| 2017 | 71.1 | 46.4 |
| 2018 | 56.0 | 45.9 |
| 2019 | 62.9 | 40.4 |
| 2020 | 60.8 | 45.6 |
| 2021 | 59.0 | 49.8 |
| 2022 | 53.6 | 45.8 |
| 2023 | 63.2 | 42.0 |
| 2024 | 58.2 | 47.7 |
Utilities
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Florence, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Florence, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 91.6 | 92.7 |
| 2009 | 91.8 | 93.3 |
| 2010 | 93.6 | 94.2 |
| 2011 | 93.5 | 94.5 |
| 2012 | 95.4 | 94.7 |
| 2013 | 94.0 | 93.2 |
| 2014 | 94.3 | 93.5 |
| 2015 | 94.5 | 93.4 |
| 2016 | 94.4 | 93.8 |
| 2017 | 92.8 | 92.2 |
| 2018 | 88.4 | 88.8 |
| 2019 | 86.6 | 87.0 |
| 2020 | 84.7 | 86.1 |
| 2021 | 86.0 | 88.2 |
| 2022 | 87.7 | 88.6 |
| 2023 | 89.9 | 90.1 |
| 2024 | 84.4 | 85.8 |
Other services
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Florence, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Florence, 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: $1,073 in Florence vs $1,668 in Tuscaloosa
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Florence, 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 | Florence, 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 | $704 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,209 | $737 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,241 | $774 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,276 | $790 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,298 | $835 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,333 | $839 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,355 | $888 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,379 | $900 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,382 | $906 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,427 | $931 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,451 | $971 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,465 | $971 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,471 | $968 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,492 | $985 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,516 | $1,009 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,546 | $1,028 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,545 | $1,057 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,558 | $1,033 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,579 | $1,050 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,604 | $1,049 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,636 | $1,058 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,626 | $1,078 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,639 | $1,093 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,668 | $1,073 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $215,000 in Florence vs $239,000 in Tuscaloosa
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Florence, 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 | Florence, AL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $152K | $121K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $154K | $121K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $157K | $123K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $159K | $126K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $159K | $127K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $159K | $127K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $158K | $127K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $157K | $129K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $156K | $131K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $157K | $130K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $158K | $130K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $159K | $132K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $161K | $133K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $163K | $133K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $165K | $134K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $167K | $133K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $171K | $136K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $173K | $138K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $176K | $138K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $179K | $140K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $182K | $143K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $183K | $145K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $187K | $149K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $193K | $155K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $197K | $161K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $204K | $168K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $209K | $173K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $213K | $179K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $220K | $185K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $226K | $192K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $229K | $194K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $229K | $194K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $231K | $194K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $235K | $199K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $235K | $200K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $235K | $202K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $234K | $204K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $237K | $209K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $238K | $210K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $239K | $209K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $238K | $211K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $238K | $210K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $237K | $209K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $237K | $209K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $237K | $213K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $239K | $214K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $239K | $215K | $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.