Is Dallas, TX cheaper than Tuscaloosa, AL?

Based on cost of living data, Dallas, TX is 12.5% more expensive than Tuscaloosa, AL. This translates to spending an extra $934 per month.

What salary do I need in Dallas, TX to live like I do in Tuscaloosa, AL?

If you earn $150,000 in Tuscaloosa, AL, you'd need approximately $161,205.18 in Dallas, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Tuscaloosa, AL and Dallas, TX?

Housing in Dallas, TX is 20.4% more expensive than in Tuscaloosa, AL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,765/month in Dallas, TX compared to $1,280/month in Tuscaloosa, AL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Dallas, TX?

Living in Dallas, TX costs approximately $934 more per month than Tuscaloosa, AL, or $11205 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Tuscaloosa, AL vs Dallas, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Tuscaloosa, AL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Birmingham, AL area

Current salary in Tuscaloosa, AL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $934/month more in Dallas, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $161.2K in Dallas, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 12.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$934

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$11.2K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Tuscaloosa, AL

Population:111K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$238K

Dallas, TX

Population:1304K

Cost Index:112

Median Home:$292K

Tuscaloosa, AL

The Heart of Dixie

111K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 111K residents.

Dallas, TX

The Lone Star State

1.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major business center
•No state income tax
•Big Tex home

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceEnergyTransportation

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Tuscaloosa, AL vs Dallas, TX

Category	Tuscaloosa, AL	Dallas, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,985/mo	$2,391/mo	↑ $405more	20.4%
📦Other	$1,625/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $150more	9.2%
🏥Healthcare	$523/mo	$632/mo	↑ $109more	20.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,241/mo	$1,298/mo	↑ $56.69more	4.6%
⚡All Utilities	$550/mo	$563/mo	↑ $13.17more	2.4%
🛒Groceries	$975/mo	$979/mo	↑ $4.58more	0.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 20.4%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$1,985

Dallas, TX

$2,391

Difference

$405

📦Other

↑ 9.2%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$1,625

Dallas, TX

$1,774

Difference

$150

🏥Healthcare

↑ 20.9%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$523

Dallas, TX

$632

Difference

$109

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.6%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$1,241

Dallas, TX

$1,298

Difference

$56.69

⚡All Utilities

↑ 2.4%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$550

Dallas, TX

$563

Difference

$13.17

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.5%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$975

Dallas, TX

$979

Difference

$4.58

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,058

To$1,450

↑ $392

1 Bed

From$1,063

To$1,505

↑ $442

2 Bed

From$1,280

To$1,765

↑ $485

3 Bed

From$1,631

To$2,220

↑ $589

Tuscaloosa, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $940–$1,260/mo

Dallas, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,040–$2,470/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,898

Monthly in Tuscaloosa, AL

$7,637

Monthly in Dallas, TX

$739

Difference

Home Values

Tuscaloosa

Dallas

$238K

Median Value

$292K

↑ +1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +25.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +27.1%

$172K - $440K

Price Range

$138K - $2.01M

Homes in Dallas are 23% more expensive than Tuscaloosa

Calculate payment - Tuscaloosa Calculate payment - Dallas

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$622

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Tuscaloosa, AL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Alabama State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,794/month

$105.5K

Dallas, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Tuscaloosa, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%

Property Tax:0.4%

Dallas, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Tuscaloosa

Dallas

57 Moderate

Air Quality

55 Moderate

26%

Good Air Days

35.2%

98 High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

90 days

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

90 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Alabama and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Tuscaloosa, AL on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Dallas, TX

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $934/month more in Dallas, TX

Tuscaloosa, AL

Dallas, TX

Tuscaloosa, AL

Dallas, TX

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code4 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code44 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP40 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Tuscaloosa, AL

Dallas, TX

Additional Tax Information

Tuscaloosa, AL Tax Rates

Dallas, TX Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Dallas, TX