CostIndexUSA

Bend, OR vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Bend
103.6
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is significantly cheaper than Bend — 15.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bend, you would need $67,700 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing47.1%
Bend
110
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Bend
105.3
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Bend
105.3
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Bend
95.3
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities19.6%
Bend
105
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$67,700
$12,300 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8465. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bend, OR

Median Home Price
$653,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
110
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Bend has 47.1% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Bend, OR

Median Household Income
$91,700
Per Capita Income
$52,300
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
102,059
Top Industries
TourismTechnologyHealthcareRetailConstruction

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).

Bend, OR
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.