CostIndexUSA

Hartford, CT vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
Hartford
102.7
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Hartford — 14.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hartford, you would need $68,300 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing47.2%
Hartford
110.2
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries0.9%
Hartford
97.3
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation5.8%
Hartford
107.8
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare5.7%
Hartford
97.5
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities41.8%
Hartford
144.9
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$68,300
$11,700 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 102.7) = salary × 0.8539. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hartford, CT

Median Home Price
$377,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
110.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Hartford has 47.2% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Hartford, CT

Median Household Income
$92,200
Per Capita Income
$52,600
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
121,054
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentEducation

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).

Hartford, CT
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.