How many renters in Tuscaloosa, AL pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Tuscaloosa, AL, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

56.3% (±3.9 points) of renting households in Tuscaloosa, AL spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

47.2% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 33.5% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 56.3% (±3.9 points)
Paying 35% or more: 47.2% (±3.3 points)
Median share of income: 33.5% (±1.8 points)

Rent as a share of income in Tuscaloosa

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Tuscaloosa	Tuscaloosa County	Alabama	United States
Less than 15%	8.2% (±1.7 points)	11.2%	14.8%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	12.5% (±2.3 points)	14.2%	12.7%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	12.3% (±2.5 points)	13.0%	12.4%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	10.6% (±2.7 points)	10.2%	11.3%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	9.1% (±2.1 points)	8.6%	9.0%	9.2%
35% or more	47.2% (±3.3 points)	42.9%	39.9%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Tuscaloosa against Tuscaloosa County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Tuscaloosa	Tuscaloosa County	Alabama	United States
Paying 30% or more	56.3% (±3.9 points)	51.5% (±3.2 points)	48.9% (±0.8 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	47.2% (±3.3 points)	42.9% (±2.7 points)	39.9% (±0.7 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	33.5% (±1.8 points)	30.8% (±1.5 points)	29.5% (±0.3 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$33,495 (±$2,309)	$36,149 (±$1,511)	$38,294 (±$594)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,055 (±$26)	$1,037 (±$23)	$1,007 (±$8)	$1,413

In Tuscaloosa, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Tuscaloosa County (51.5%).

It is also higher than in Alabama (48.9%).

It is higher than the national figure (51.1%).

In Tuscaloosa County, Tuscaloosa ranks 2 of 9 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 126 of 489.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Tuscaloosa

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Tuscaloosa
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Tuscaloosa	—	56.3% (±3.9 points)	—
Holt	2.6 mi	30.3% (±19.0 points)	Lower
Northport	4.2 mi	44.0% (±8.3 points)	Lower
Cottondale	5.1 mi	62.5% (±45.1 points)	Not measurably different
Coker	8.9 mi	52.5% (±58.6 points)	Not measurably different
Coaling	11 mi	50.8% (±32.1 points)	Not measurably different
Brookwood	11 mi	55.2% (±30.4 points)	Not measurably different
Moundville	17 mi	34.5% (±24.8 points)	Not measurably different
Vance	18 mi	20.0% (±42.7 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Holt, AL (30.3%), Northport, AL (44.0%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Tuscaloosa County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Cottondale	62.5% (±45.1 points)
2	Tuscaloosa	56.3% (±3.9 points)
3	Brookwood	55.2% (±30.4 points)
4	Coker	52.5% (±58.6 points)
5	Coaling	50.8% (±32.1 points)
6	Northport	44.0% (±8.3 points)
7	Lake View	32.8% (±34.2 points)
8	Holt	30.3% (±19.0 points)

Showing 8 of 9 places in Tuscaloosa County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Tuscaloosa

Are renters in Tuscaloosa rent-burdened?

56.3% of renting households in Tuscaloosa pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Tuscaloosa spend on rent?

The median renting household in Tuscaloosa, AL spends 33.5% (±1.8 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Tuscaloosa city, Alabama (place:77256, in state:01).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.