Performance
Score Breakdown
Hoover
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% higher compared to Hoover.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hoover's average rent is
45% higher than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Hoover | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,570 | $1,081 | +45% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,031 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hoover delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hoover is estimated at
$60,000 vs $43,240 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Hoover | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,405 | $57,742 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $43,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,533 idx | 61,428 idx |
| Household Income | $109,253 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hoover | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Hoover.
Hoover scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hoover | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 12 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 17.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hoover is the larger city
— approximately 3.3x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Hoover is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hoover | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,013 | 28,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | % |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 1.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hoover
Advantages
Hoover boasts a low unemployment rate of 2% as of 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The median household income in Hoover was $109,253 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Crime rates are notably low, with violent crime at 4.5 per 1,000 residents, contributing to a safe community environment.
The city offers excellent access to high-quality healthcare facilities in the nearby Birmingham metropolitan area.
Hoover has a high homeownership rate of 71.1% as of 2024, reflecting a stable housing market.
Drawbacks
Hoover is a car-dependent city with limited public transportation options, requiring most errands to be done by car.
The overall cost of living in Hoover is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 105.9.
Average rent prices, while more affordable than some major U.S. cities, are still above the state average.
Summers in Hoover are long, hot, and muggy, with average highs in the mid-to-high 90s in July.
The city experiences high annual precipitation, averaging around 58 inches.
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly lower cost of living, estimated to be 6% below the U.S. national average in 2026.
The average commute time in Aberdeen is exceptionally short, at just 11.9 minutes as of 2024.
The violent crime rate is 72% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
Aberdeen has a high industry diversity of 98.7%, indicating strong economic stability.
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was recognized among America's 100 Best for Coronary Intervention in 2026, highlighting quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
Aberdeen's population is currently declining, with a projected annual rate of -0.37% in 2026.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 39 and limited public transit options.
Employment in Aberdeen declined by -2.54% from 2023 to 2024.
Winters in Aberdeen are described as freezing, snowy, and windy, with an average January low of 6°F.
Some healthcare facilities, like Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, declined to respond to Leapfrog Group on several patient safety and equity measures.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hoover
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,570
Avg Salary
$68,405
Cost Index
106
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
77
Business
72
Aberdeen
#8South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,081
Avg Salary
$57,742
Cost Index
94
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
75
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