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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Tuscaloosa, AL โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Birmingham, AL area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $235/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $147.2K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†“ 3.1%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$235
Savings
Annual Impact
$2.8K
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

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K
Cost Index:97
Median Home:$145K

Tuscaloosa, AL

The Heart of Dixie

111K
Population
State Tax
Yes

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

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Tuscaloosa, AL vs St. Louis, MO

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†“ 5.8%
Tuscaloosa, AL
$1,985
St. Louis, MO
$1,871
Difference
$114
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 2.6%
Tuscaloosa, AL
$975
St. Louis, MO
$949
Difference
$25.40
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 2.0%
Tuscaloosa, AL
$1,241
St. Louis, MO
$1,216
Difference
$25.27
less
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†“ 1.1%
Tuscaloosa, AL
$1,625
St. Louis, MO
$1,607
Difference
$17.48
less
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 2.6%
Tuscaloosa, AL
$550
St. Louis, MO
$535
Difference
$14.15
less
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 0.8%
Tuscaloosa, AL
$523
St. Louis, MO
$527
Difference
$4.13
more

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Tuscaloosa, AL has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,058
To$910
โ†“ $148
1 Bed
From$1,063
To$950
โ†“ $113
2 Bed
From$1,280
To$1,160
โ†“ $120
3 Bed
From$1,631
To$1,490
โ†“ $141
Tuscaloosa, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $940โ€“$1,260/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800โ€“$1,480/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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
$6,705
Monthly in St. Louis, MO
$192
Difference

Home Values

Tuscaloosa
St. Louis
$238K
Median Value
$145K
โ†‘ +1.2%
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.8%
โ†‘ +25.3%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +10.9%
$172K - $440K
Price Range
$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 39% less expensive than Tuscaloosa

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†“ $469
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$39.08
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.3%
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

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Missouri State Tax
Effective: 5.3%
$7.9K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.0%
$44.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,755/month
$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Tuscaloosa, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%
Property Tax:0.4%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.0%

๐Ÿ’ก 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
St. Louis
57 Moderate
Air Quality
54 Moderate
26%
Good Air Days
38%
98 High
Climate Risk
99 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
41 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
39 days
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
41 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
39 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Alabama and Missouri on TaxTakeHome.com

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