Tuscaloosa is a college town in the purest sense of the term, with the University of Alabama serving as the center of attention for virtually every aspect of life in the city for well over a century. Students and non-students alike have ridden a wave of college football dominance for years now, and the game day atmosphere is electric on campus. But contrary to popular belief, there is more to life around campus than football. The Riverwalk serves as not only a scenic and tranquil spot to unwind, but a convenient green belt trail connecting the Bama campus to downtown Tuscaloosa. The student population draws major touring acts to the many stages in town like Druid City Music Hall and the Bama Theatre along University Avenue. Cultural attractions Jack Warner Museum and the Alabama Museum of Natural History are great places to drop in when you have some free time. The community is alive with southern culture and hospitality, and nowhere is this more evident than in the food scene: between the crawfish boils, Fried Fridays, and the truly mind-mending meaty treats at Dreamland Barbecue, you’ll never go hungry here. Best of all, Tuscaloosa is home to some of the most affordable rental rates around, meaning that you can almost always find a budget-friendly apartment or house within walking distance of campus.
Clark Hall, built in 1909, is home to the College of Arts and Science
Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, located on the Quad
A 10-foot-tall elephant topiary stands outside Doster Hall during football games
Bryant-Denny Stadium first opened in 1929 and is one of the largest stadiums in the country
A student designed the nine-foot statue of head coach Nick Saban
Students enjoy easy access to the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk
As of February 2026, the average apartment rent in Tuscaloosa, AL is $840 for a studio, $977 for one bedroom, $1,137 for two bedrooms, and $1,356 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Tuscaloosa has increased by 2.2% in the past year.
Studio
427 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$840/month
Average Rent
1 BR
690 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$977/month
Average Rent
2 BR
1,004 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,137/month
Average Rent
3 BR
1,236 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,356/month
Average Rent
Discover tips on finding the perfect off-campus housing near the University of Alabama. Make your student life comfortable with our comprehensive guide.
Somewhat Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Minimal Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Somewhat Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.
Public
Grades PK-5
605 Students
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary
Public
Grades K-5
294 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
440 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
713 Students
The Alberta School of Performing Arts
Public
Grades PK-8
671 Students
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle
Public
Grades 6-8
169 Students
The Alberta School of Performing Arts
Public
Grades PK-8
671 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
740 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
576 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
534 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,145 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,356 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
783 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
435 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
22 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
