Moving from Evansville, IN to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is a 399 mi drive, roughly 7h 24m, between Evansville, IN and Tuscaloosa, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
399 mi Β· 7h 24m by car Β· IN β KY β TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | IN β KY β TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 24, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Huntsville, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Evansville | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.528 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.717 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.735 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Evansville and Tuscaloosa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tuscaloosa run about 4.2% pricier β ZHVI $198,977 β $228,947 (2026-03).
YoY change: Evansville +3.7%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Evansville | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.2Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Evansville | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $52,251 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.68 |
Households in Tuscaloosa earn about 4.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Indiana and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Evansville, IN?
The driving distance is 399 mi and the route typically takes 7h 24m via I 65 and I 24. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Evansville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 4.2% lower than Evansville (87.722 vs 91.528, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Evansville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $198,977 in Evansville β a 15.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Evansville vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $52,251 in Evansville β a 7.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Evansville to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 399 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Evansville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $41,930 in the Evansville MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 152,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Evansville.
City profiles: Evansville, IN Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.