CostIndexUSA

Flint, MI vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Flint
93
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Flint — 5.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Flint, you would need $75,400 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing21.4%
Flint
74
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries+2.9%
Flint
93.7
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Flint
104.5
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Flint
94.6
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities13.1%
Flint
97.1
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$75,400
$4,600 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 93) = salary × 0.9430. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Flint, MI

Median Home Price
$183,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
74
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Flint has 21.4% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Flint, MI

Median Household Income
$60,000
Per Capita Income
$34,200
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Population
81,252
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationGovernmentRetail

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).

Flint, MI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.