Cost of Living: Jacksonville, FL vs Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

Jacksonville

Florida
92
VS

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
73

Jacksonville is 26% more expensive than Tuscaloosa.

$1,375/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$1,005/mo ↓ 27%
$66,981/yr ↑ 38%
Median Income
$48,536/yr ↓ 28%
$266,100 ↑ 12%
Home Value
$236,600 ↓ 11%
$1,324/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,038/mo ↓ 22%
961,739
Population
107,699

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Jacksonville, FL and Tuscaloosa, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 92 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $370/month cheaper in Tuscaloosa, saving renters about $4,440/year.

Median household income is $18,445/year higher in Jacksonville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Jacksonville is $266,100 compared to $236,600 in Tuscaloosa.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Jacksonville residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacksonville vs Tuscaloosa — common questions

Is Jacksonville or Tuscaloosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tuscaloosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 92 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Jacksonville and Tuscaloosa?
Median rent in Jacksonville is $1,375/month and in Tuscaloosa it's $1,005/month — a difference of $370/month.
Which city has higher income, Jacksonville or Tuscaloosa?
Median household income is $66,981 in Jacksonville and $48,536 in Tuscaloosa. Median household income is $18,445/year higher in Jacksonville.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Jacksonville or Tuscaloosa?
It depends on your priorities. Jacksonville has a cost index of 92 with median rent of $1,375/mo, while Tuscaloosa has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,005/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Jacksonville details → View Tuscaloosa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Jacksonville and Tuscaloosa

Jacksonville vs. Austin Jacksonville vs. Fort Worth Jacksonville vs. San Jose Jacksonville vs. Columbus Jacksonville vs. Dallas Jacksonville vs. Charlotte Tuscaloosa vs. Tyler Tuscaloosa vs. Allen Tuscaloosa vs. Riverview Tuscaloosa vs. New York Tuscaloosa vs. Dearborn Tuscaloosa vs. Los Angeles