NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Tuscaloosa, AL

Metro Market Score 32.9 (Favorable), ranked #14 of 378 metros. 879 establishments, 11,672 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 32.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages

Tuscaloosa ranks in the top 10% for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 32.9, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
38.9
LQ: 1.09
Rank #147 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
18.5
$34,625 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 89.4
Employment growth index
Rank #41 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
76.7
YoY wage change index

879 Retail Trade Firms in Tuscaloosa

879
Establishments
+3.4% YoY
11,672
Total Employment
+2.3% YoY
$34,625
Average Annual Wage
+2.9% YoY
1.09
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Tuscaloosa vs Alabama Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Alabama overall. The state ranks #36/51 for entry risk.

Measure Tuscaloosa AL Statewide
Overall Score 32.9 Favorable 46.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #14 of 378 metros #36 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Tuscaloosa

Construction 26.6 Other Services 46.5

Retail Trade in Other Alabama Metros

Auburn-Opelika 35.6 #27/378 Decatur 37.0 #31/378 Gadsden 41.9 #55/378 Huntsville 44.8 #81/378 Montgomery 49.9 #137/378 Birmingham 51.8 #161/378 Anniston-Oxford 52.9 #175/378 Mobile 54.9 #195/378 Florence-Muscle Shoals 61.9 #276/378 Daphne-Fairhope-Foley 62.9 #285/378

+ 1 more metros. View all in Alabama →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Tuscaloosa's retail trade sector, the wage pressure component (76.7) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.