CostIndexUSA

Orlando, FL vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Orlando
101.4
overall index
$1,925/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Orlando — 13.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Orlando, you would need $69,200 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing52.8%
Orlando
123.4
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Orlando
96.2
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.2%
Orlando
103.8
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Orlando
93.9
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities3.2%
Orlando
87.2
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$69,200
$10,800 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 101.4) = salary × 0.8649. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Orlando, FL

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
123.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Orlando has 52.8% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Orlando, FL

Median Household Income
$77,400
Per Capita Income
$44,100
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
307,573
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareTechnologyRetailEducation

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).

Orlando, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.