CostIndexUSA

Casper, WY vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WY
Casper
93.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Casper — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Casper, you would need $74,800 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing21.6%
Casper
74.2
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries+1.0%
Casper
95.4
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Casper
105.4
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Casper
95.4
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+7.0%
Casper
78.9
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 93.8) = salary × 0.9350. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Casper, WY

Median Home Price
$302,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
74.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.5×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Casper has 21.6% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Casper, WY

Median Household Income
$73,200
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,324
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturing

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).

Casper, WY
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.