City Comparison · 2026
Tuscaloosa vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Tuscaloosa = $202k in Los Angeles
Metric
Tuscaloosa
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓0.87
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$980/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,220/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
AL
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,901
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.1%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$62,141
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Tuscaloosa AL | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,413 $3,951/mo · 20.98% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,901 $6,158/mo · 26.1% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,943 $8,829/mo · 29.37% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tuscaloosa or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Tuscaloosa has a cost-of-living index of 0.87 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Tuscaloosa is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Tuscaloosa is $980/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Tuscaloosa?
$100k in Tuscaloosa = $202k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 102.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Tuscaloosa or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,901 in AL (Tuscaloosa) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $62,141 in Tuscaloosa vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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