CostIndexUSA

Minneapolis, MN vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MN
Minneapolis
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is significantly cheaper than Minneapolis — 16.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Minneapolis, you would need $66,900 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing47.9%
Minneapolis
111.8
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries6.5%
Minneapolis
103.1
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation7.4%
Minneapolis
109.6
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare7.4%
Minneapolis
99.2
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities9.7%
Minneapolis
93.5
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$66,900
$13,100 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 104.8) = salary × 0.8368. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Minneapolis, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Minneapolis has 47.9% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Minneapolis, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
429,606
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareRetailManufacturingTechnology

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).

Minneapolis, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.