$74,715/yr
is the income needed to buy the typical $238,644 home in Tuscaloosa, AL at today's 7.18% rate — about $1,743/mo. The local median household ($59,975) falls $14,740 short.
The math (shown)
238,644 price − 10% down (23,864) = 214,780 loan
30-yr fixed at 7.18% on 214,780 = 1,455/mo principal+interest
+ 288/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
1,743/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 6,226/mo → 74,715/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-09 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)) and the 7.18% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-11-05). Local median income: $59,975 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year, median household income (table B19013)).
Can I afford Tuscaloosa, AL on my salary?
Your salary:
Rent vs own here
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FAQ
How much do I need to make to live in Tuscaloosa, AL?
To buy the typical home, about $74,715/yr. Renting needs less; this page sizes the buy.
What home value is this based on?
Zillow's ZHVI typical-home-value for the Tuscaloosa, AL metro (2026-09): $238,644.
Is the mortgage rate current?
Yes — 7.18% from FRED's weekly 30-year fixed average (2026-11-05).
Glossary
ZHVI
Zillow Home Value Index — the typical home value for a region (35th–65th percentile, smoothed, seasonally adjusted).
Front-end DTI
Housing payment as a share of gross income; lenders commonly cap it near 28%.
PITI
Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the full monthly housing cost.