Mortgage Calculator & Closing Costs: Tuscaloosa, AL
Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Median Home Price
$225K
Population
101K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,120
Property Tax Rate
0.41% *
* Property tax shown is the Alabama state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa vs Alabama Median
The median home price in Tuscaloosa is $225,000, which is roughly in line with the Alabama state median of $230,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Tuscaloosa, AL
Pre-filled with Tuscaloosa median home price and Alabama tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $225K home using Alabama's 0.41% tax rate and $1,950/yr insurance.
5% Down
$1,715/mo
Down: $11,250
Loan: $214K
P&I: $1,351
Tax: $77
Insurance: $163
PMI: $125
10% Down
$1,637/mo
Down: $22,500
Loan: $203K
P&I: $1,280
Tax: $77
Insurance: $163
PMI: $118
20% Down (No PMI)
$1,377/mo
Down: $45,000
Loan: $180K
P&I: $1,138
Tax: $77
Insurance: $163
Income needed (28% rule): $59K/year with 20% down, $70K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Tuscaloosa
Rent
$1,120/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$1,637/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 16.7 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in Tuscaloosa depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in Tuscaloosa is $225,000, roughly in line with the Alabama state median of $230,000. With a population of 101,129, Tuscaloosa is a mid-size city where home prices tend to be more accessible than in many parts of Alabama.
Property taxes in Alabama average 0.41% annually. This low property tax rate is a significant advantage for Tuscaloosa buyers, keeping your monthly costs well below what you'd pay in higher-tax states. Homeowners insurance in Alabama runs approximately $1,950 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in Tuscaloosa is $1,120/month. The price-to-rent ratio in Tuscaloosa is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
Tuscaloosa offers strong affordability. With median prices under $250K, first-time buyers have realistic paths to homeownership, especially combined with Alabama's Alabama Housing Finance Authority Step Up program.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Tuscaloosa.