Performance
Score Breakdown
Gadsden
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% lower compared to Homewood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gadsden's average rent is
56% lower than Homewood's.
| Metric | Gadsden | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $700 | $1,596 | -56% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $283 | $180 | +57% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,833 | $2,626 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gadsden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gadsden is estimated at
$50,000 vs $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Gadsden | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,346 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $40,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,172 idx | 51,187 idx |
| Household Income | $40,345 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gadsden | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Gadsden.
Homewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gadsden | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 25.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gadsden is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gadsden | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,374 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.10% |
| 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.
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood boasts a significantly shorter average commute time of 17.1 minutes compared to the national average.
The median household income in Homewood was $94,485 in 2024, notably higher than the national average.
The city has a healthy job market with a 1.38% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Homewood offers a strong sense of community and access to highly-rated public schools.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital within the city and major medical centers nearby.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices in Homewood are higher than the national average, potentially impacting affordability for buyers.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work, and limited public transit options.
Summers in Homewood are long, hot, and muggy, which may be a drawback for some.
While generally safe, there have been reports of attempted car theft and homelessness in the area.
The median age of 29 is lower than the national average, which might not appeal to those seeking a more established, older demographic.
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
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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