CostIndexUSA

Medford, OR vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Medford — 13.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Medford, you would need $69,200 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing40.4%
Medford
97.7
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Medford
105.3
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Medford
105.3
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Medford
95.3
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities17.5%
Medford
102.3
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$69,200
$10,800 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 101.4) = salary × 0.8649. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Medford, OR

Median Home Price
$425,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
97.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.8×

Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Medford has 40.4% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Medford, OR

Median Household Income
$71,700
Per Capita Income
$40,900
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
85,824
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureRetailManufacturingTourism

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).

Medford, OR
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.