Cost of Living: The Woodlands, TX vs Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

The Woodlands

Texas
139
VS

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
73

The Woodlands is 90% more expensive than Tuscaloosa.

$1,792/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$1,005/mo ↓ 44%
$141,353/yr ↑ 191%
Median Income
$48,536/yr ↓ 66%
$479,400 ↑ 103%
Home Value
$236,600 ↓ 51%
$2,005/mo ↑ 93%
Owner Costs
$1,038/mo ↓ 48%
116,916
Population
107,699

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

15.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing The Woodlands, TX and Tuscaloosa, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 139 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $787/month cheaper in Tuscaloosa, saving renters about $9,444/year.

Median household income is $92,817/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in The Woodlands is $479,400 compared to $236,600 in Tuscaloosa.

Texas has no state income tax, giving The Woodlands residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Woodlands vs Tuscaloosa — common questions

Is The Woodlands or Tuscaloosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tuscaloosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between The Woodlands and Tuscaloosa?
Median rent in The Woodlands is $1,792/month and in Tuscaloosa it's $1,005/month — a difference of $787/month.
Which city has higher income, The Woodlands or Tuscaloosa?
Median household income is $141,353 in The Woodlands and $48,536 in Tuscaloosa. Median household income is $92,817/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to The Woodlands or Tuscaloosa?
It depends on your priorities. The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with median rent of $1,792/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 The Woodlands details → View Tuscaloosa details →

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