Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
35% lower compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
25% higher than Huntsville's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $1,450 | +25% |
| Groceries | $0 | $510 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $220 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $420 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,780 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,834 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,130 idx | 75,000 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $68,900 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Huntsville runs warmer on average — a 62.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Huntsville comes out ahead with 213 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Huntsville sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 62.40°F |
| Summer High | °F | 89.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 33.00°F |
| Rainfall | in | 55.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 2.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 213 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 43.2/10 |
| Walkability | 85.0/10 | 39.5/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Birmingham.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,357 | 225,564 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.90% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $38.7B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
Birmingham boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average.
The city has a robust and diversifying job market, particularly in healthcare, finance, and technology.
Birmingham offers a nationally recognized culinary scene with numerous acclaimed restaurants.
The median home value in Birmingham is considerably lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Birmingham has a high walkability score, indicating many pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Birmingham's crime rates are significantly higher than the Alabama average.
The median rent in Birmingham is 56% above the national median.
Public transportation usage is low, with most residents relying on personal vehicles.
Assisted living expenses in Birmingham are exceptionally high compared to state and national averages.
The city has experienced a population decrease in recent decades.
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#30Alabama, USA
71.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$60,834
Cost Index
88
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
85.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
67
Business
0
Huntsville
#2Alabama, USA
86.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
43.2/10
Walkability
39.5/10
Sunny Days
213/yr
Avg Temp
62.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
85
Business
90
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