Performance
Score Breakdown
Gadsden
Enterprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% lower compared to Enterprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gadsden's average rent is
53% lower than Enterprise's.
| Metric | Gadsden | Enterprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $700 | $1,495 | -53% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $283 | $260 | +9% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,833 | $2,525 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Enterprise offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Enterprise delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gadsden is estimated at
$50,000 vs $59,800 in Enterprise.
| Metric | Gadsden | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,346 | $47,412 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $59,800 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,172 idx | 57,820 idx |
| Household Income | $40,345 | $73,125 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gadsden | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Gadsden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gadsden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gadsden | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 25.0/10 | 19.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gadsden is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Enterprise.
From a growth perspective, Enterprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Enterprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gadsden | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,374 | 31,698 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.56% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gadsden
Advantages
Median home sale price of $165,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Overall cost of living is 15% lower than the national average.
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is around $700 per month (June 2026), offering affordable rental options.
Home to two hospitals, Gadsden Regional Medical Center and Riverview Regional Medical Center, offering top-rated programs and quality care.
Features a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons, providing varied weather experiences throughout the year.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate is 49% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 62% higher.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 25, meaning most errands require a car.
Median household income of $40,345 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Population has experienced a negative growth rate of -1.2% annually between 2019 and 2024.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than the national average.
Enterprise
Advantages
The median rent in Enterprise is 23% below the national average, making housing more affordable.
Enterprise has a growing population, with a 1.56% annual growth rate in 2026.
The city's unemployment rate was 2.3% in April 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Medical Center Enterprise earned an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade in Spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare services.
The city offers a newly renovated recreation center with modern fitness and aquatic facilities, enhancing community amenities.
Drawbacks
Enterprise has a low Walk Score of 19, indicating it is a car-dependent city with limited walkability.
Public transit options are very limited, with a low Transit Access score of 1/10.
Crime rates in Enterprise are reported to be higher than the national average, particularly for violent crimes.
Summers in Enterprise are long, hot, and oppressive, with high humidity levels.
Some online claims about the city's crime rate rely on outdated data, leading to potential misinformation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gadsden
#40Alabama, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$44,346
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
Business
58
Enterprise
#36Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$47,412
Cost Index
82
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
19.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.56%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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