Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
36% lower than Northport's.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $953 | $1,500 | -36% |
| Groceries | $450 | $423 | +6% |
| Utilities | $387 | $158 | +145% |
| Transport | $120 | $385 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $263 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,160 | $2,729 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Northport offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Decatur delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Decatur is estimated at
$59,000 vs $40,836 in Northport.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,600 | $43,761 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $40,836 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,714 idx | 44,654 idx |
| Household Income | $61,563 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Northport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Decatur.
Decatur scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Decatur leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 59.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Decatur is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Decatur has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,291 | 33,797 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 4.10% |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Decatur
Advantages
The cost of living in Decatur is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Decatur boasts a positive job growth rate of 2.4% over the past year, with major employers in manufacturing, retail, and construction.
The city offers a rich quality of life with abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Tennessee River and numerous cultural attractions.
Healthcare services are comprehensive and high-quality, provided by Decatur Morgan Hospital and its specialized campuses, including the only comprehensive cancer care program in Morgan County.
Decatur has seen a notable decline in overall crime, with violent crime decreasing by over 45% in early 2026 compared to the previous year.
Drawbacks
Despite recent improvements, Decatur's overall crime rate in 2024 was higher than 84% of communities in Alabama, and its violent crime rate was among the highest nationally.
The city is largely car-dependent, with daily life structured around road networks rather than a dense public transit system.
While the average individual salary is lower than the national GDP per capita, requiring a higher salary to live comfortably as a single adult.
Summers are hot and humid, with muggy conditions common from June to August, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Specific data for new business growth rate and traffic index are not readily available, making it harder to assess certain economic and transportation aspects.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 2% lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being 23.8% lower.
Northport is known for being a safe place to live, contributing to peace of mind for residents.
The city boasts a livability score of 76 out of 100, ranking well for amenities, cost of living, and housing.
The median household income in Northport was $80,913 in 2024, reflecting a 4.03% one-year growth.
The average home value increased by 2.3% over the past year to $268,786 as of April 2026.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options within Northport are very limited, making the city largely car-dependent.
The average Walk Score for Northport is 27, indicating that most errands require a car.
While the overall cost of living is lower, food expenses are slightly above the national average.
Job growth rate data for Northport specifically is not readily available, with some data indicating a slight decline in employed population in 2024.
Summers in Northport are long, hot, and muggy, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Decatur
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$953
Avg Salary
$42,600
Cost Index
84
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
59.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
Northport
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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