CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Grand Junction — 8.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $73,500 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing32.6%
Grand Junction
86.4
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Grand Junction
96.1
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Grand Junction
104.8
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.1%
Grand Junction
94.8
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+1.3%
Grand Junction
83.3
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction to see what you'd need to earn in Tuscaloosa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$73,500
$6,500 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9183. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Grand Junction has 32.6% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.