Performance
Score Breakdown
Hoover
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Huntsville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% higher compared to Hoover.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hoover's average rent is
43% higher than Huntsville's.
| Metric | Hoover | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,175 | $1,522 | +43% |
| Groceries | $590 | $701 | -16% |
| Utilities | $185 | $337 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $349 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $137 | +82% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $3,046 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 6% 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
$55,000 vs $64,000 in Huntsville.
| Metric | Hoover | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,617 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,726 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $109,253 | $74,714 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hoover | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 15.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Hoover.
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 | Hoover | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,700 | 234,859 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.62% | 2.70% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hoover
Advantages
Hoover boasts a significantly lower unemployment rate (2.9% in 2023) compared to the national average, indicating a strong job market.
The median household income in Hoover ($109,253 in 2024) is substantially higher than both the state and national averages.
Hoover's cost of living is estimated to be 15% less expensive than the national average as of June 2026, offering good affordability.
The city is known for its top-rated public school system, ranking among the highest in Alabama.
Hoover offers extensive outdoor recreational opportunities, including 25 public parks and access to the Cahaba River.
Drawbacks
Hoover is a car-dependent city, with limited public transportation options and a low walkability score.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Hoover are higher than the average for other cities within Alabama.
Specific monthly utility costs are not consistently reported and can be slightly above those in smaller Alabama towns.
The average monthly grocery cost in Hoover is higher than the national average.
Healthcare costs in Hoover are reported to be higher than the national average.
Huntsville
Advantages
Huntsville was ranked the nation's most financially resilient city in 2026, indicating strong economic stability.
The city consistently boasts shorter commute times compared to larger metropolitan areas, with most residents reporting 15-20 minute commutes.
Huntsville ranked 17th out of 200 cities for overall driving safety in 2026, with drivers averaging over 12 years between collisions.
The average cost of assisted living in Huntsville is lower than both the state and national averages.
Huntsville climbed to the No. 2 position in the Milken Institute's 2026 Best-Performing Cities Index, highlighting its economic strength.
Drawbacks
Huntsville's overall crime rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Violent crimes in Huntsville are 35% higher than the national average.
Huntsville drivers rank among the worst in the nation for speeding, according to a 2026 report.
The city is considered less safe than the Alabama state average and the national average in terms of crime rate.
While overall utilities are lower, grocery prices in Huntsville are slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hoover
#5Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,175
Avg Salary
$68,617
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
15.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
80
Business
75
Huntsville
#23Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
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