2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Highlands, NC vs Tuscaloosa, AL

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Highlights
Are people in Tuscaloosa older or younger than people in Highlands?
- The Median Age in Tuscaloosa is 30.7 years younger than in Highlands.

Are housing costs cheaper in Tuscaloosa or Highlands?
- Tuscaloosa housing costs are 75.8% less expensive than Highlands housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Tuscaloosa or Highlands?
- The average commute for residents of Tuscaloosa is 1.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Highlands.

Things to do in Highlands?
Living in Highlands, NC is an absolute dream. With its charming downtown area and breathtaking mountain views, it's easy to see why so many people choose to call this small town home. The community is incredibly welcoming and it's not hard to make friends or find a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. There are plenty of outdoor activities perfect for all ages, from hiking trails that offer stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to picturesque lakes for fishing and swimming. Residents also enjoy a range of excellent restaurants, boutique shops, galleries, and festivals throughout the year. All in all, Highlands is a wonderful place to call home!

Things to do in Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a vibrant city located in Tuscaloosa County. From its breathtaking views to its many cultural attractions, Tuscaloosa has something for everyone! Outdoor activities like Lake Nicol, Snow Hinton Park and the University of Alabama Arboretum will keep visitors entertained all day long. Plus, those looking for an educational experience can browse places like the Alabama Museum of Natural History or the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre. And when they've had their fill of activities, visitors can enjoy a delicious meal from restaurants like Dreamland BBQ or Full Moon BBQ. With so much to offer, Tuscaloosa is an ideal destination for a memorable experience!

 Highlands, NCTuscaloosa, ALUnited States
 Population  Unlock99,252329,725,481
 Median Income$52,070  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock29.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$794,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.4%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.36  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Highlands    4 Reviews

Love BestPlaces, but most of their statistics are incorrect for the actual town of Highlands which is extremely expensive. I assume they are using information from Macon  More

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Over 4 years ago

This used to be a quaint, quiet, sweet little town, but it has ballooned into a rich man's Mecca. Fist of all, it's a tiny town... so parking is at a premium and it gets  More

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Over 14 years ago

I have run two businesses in Highlands. It is a very seasonal business trend. The rents are high and so is the cost of doing business, including labor cost, cost of  More

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Reviews for Tuscaloosa    9 Reviews

This is the deal with Tuscaloosa. If you have strong family support that will keep you on track, you may be okay. Alabama has too many broken, uneducated, poor  More

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We've lived in Tuscaloosa for several years now. It's a diverse, friendly college town -- home of the University of Alabama and it's lovely campus -- that is relatively  More

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Tuscaloosa used to have some character. We had a decent live music scene, an up and coming artist community, affordable housing, and there were even several places for  More

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