Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
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 Huntsville.
| Metric | Huntsville | Alabaster | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $510 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $420 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 72% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $72,000 in Alabaster.
| Metric | Huntsville | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $40,018 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 40,835 idx |
| Household Income | $68,900 | $91,357 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Huntsville runs warmer on average — a 62.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Huntsville comes out ahead with 213 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Huntsville sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Huntsville | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 213 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Huntsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Huntsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Huntsville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Huntsville | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 43.2/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.5/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 6.7x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 225,564 | 33,917 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $38.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
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.
Huntsville
#2Alabama, USA
86.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
43.2/10
Walkability
39.5/10
Sunny Days
213/yr
Avg Temp
62.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
85
Business
90
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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