CostIndexUSA

Hagerstown, MD vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Hagerstown
94.2
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Hagerstown — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hagerstown, you would need $74,500 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.1%
Hagerstown
75.7
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Hagerstown
96.4
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Hagerstown
104.5
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Hagerstown
94.5
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities11.8%
Hagerstown
95.7
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 94.2) = salary × 0.9310. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hagerstown, MD

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
75.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Hagerstown has 23.1% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Hagerstown, MD

Median Household Income
$75,400
Per Capita Income
$43,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
43,484
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsRetailGovernment

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).

Hagerstown, MD
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.