CostIndexUSA

Mount Vernon, WA vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Mount Vernon
102.4
overall index
$2,125/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Mount Vernon — 14.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mount Vernon, you would need $68,500 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing46.2%
Mount Vernon
108.2
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries8.2%
Mount Vernon
105
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.8%
Mount Vernon
104.4
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Mount Vernon
94.5
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities12.1%
Mount Vernon
96
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$68,500
$11,500 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 102.4) = salary × 0.8564. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Housing Index
108.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Mount Vernon has 46.2% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
36,727
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

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).

Mount Vernon, WA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.