CostIndexUSA

Lincoln, NE vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is slightly cheaper than Lincoln — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $76,600 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing30.9%
Lincoln
84.2
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries+2.4%
Lincoln
94.1
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation+4.0%
Lincoln
97.6
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare+4.1%
Lincoln
88.3
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+9.9%
Lincoln
76.8
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 0.9574. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
84.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Lincoln has 30.9% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$71,200
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

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).

Lincoln, NE
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.