Performance
Score Breakdown
Hoover
Alabaster
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Hoover.
| Metric | Hoover | Alabaster | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,570 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 71% 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 $72,000 in Alabaster.
| Metric | Hoover | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,405 | $40,018 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,533 idx | 40,835 idx |
| Household Income | $109,253 | $91,357 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hoover | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Hoover has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Hoover scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hoover leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hoover | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 17.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hoover is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Hoover is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hoover has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hoover | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,013 | 33,917 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Alabaster
Advantages
Affordability compared to national averages.
High homeownership rate and stable housing market.
Strong job growth, particularly in healthcare and education.
Family-friendly environment with good schools and community events.
Low crime rates contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability.
Longer-than-average commute times.
Limited amenities within walking distance.
Inaccessibility of certain health-related facilities in some areas.
Hot summers can be a factor for some residents.
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
Alabaster
#12Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,018
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
80
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