Performance
Score Breakdown
Gadsden
Florence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Florence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Gadsden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gadsden's average rent is
22% lower than Florence's.
| Metric | Gadsden | Florence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $700 | $895 | -22% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $283 | $165 | +72% |
| Transport | $150 | $105 | +43% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,833 | $1,735 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Florence offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Florence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gadsden is estimated at
$50,000 vs $41,317 in Florence.
| Metric | Gadsden | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,346 | $48,714 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $41,317 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,172 idx | 58,692 idx |
| Household Income | $40,345 | $52,174 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gadsden | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Florence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gadsden | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 25.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Florence is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Florence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gadsden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gadsden | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,374 | 42,716 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Florence
Advantages
The cost of living in Florence is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Florence boasts a vibrant arts scene, cultural festivals, and numerous recreational opportunities, enhancing the quality of life.
The city has experienced positive job growth, with employment increasing by 6.33% from 2023 to 2024.
Housing is more affordable in Florence, with median property values and average rents considerably below national figures.
The average commute time of 18.7 minutes is shorter than the national average, contributing to less time spent in traffic.
Drawbacks
Florence's violent crime rate is 35.9% above the national average, posing a concern for safety.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and few bike lanes.
The median household income in Florence is lower than that of the state of Alabama and Lauderdale County.
While overall crime rate dropped, the violent crime rate remains a significant drawback.
The walkability score of 32 indicates that most errands require a car.
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
Florence
#36Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$895
Avg Salary
$48,714
Cost Index
83
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
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