Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Northport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% higher compared to Huntsville.
| Metric | Huntsville | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,500 | -3% |
| Groceries | $510 | $423 | +21% |
| Utilities | $220 | $158 | +39% |
| Transport | $180 | $385 | -53% |
| Healthcare | $420 | $263 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,729 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 58% 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 $40,836 in Northport.
| Metric | Huntsville | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $43,761 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $40,836 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 44,654 idx |
| Household Income | $68,900 | $80,913 |
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 | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 43.2/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.5/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 6.7x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 225,564 | 33,797 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 4.10% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $38.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 2% lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being 23.8% lower.
Northport is known for being a safe place to live, contributing to peace of mind for residents.
The city boasts a livability score of 76 out of 100, ranking well for amenities, cost of living, and housing.
The median household income in Northport was $80,913 in 2024, reflecting a 4.03% one-year growth.
The average home value increased by 2.3% over the past year to $268,786 as of April 2026.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options within Northport are very limited, making the city largely car-dependent.
The average Walk Score for Northport is 27, indicating that most errands require a car.
While the overall cost of living is lower, food expenses are slightly above the national average.
Job growth rate data for Northport specifically is not readily available, with some data indicating a slight decline in employed population in 2024.
Summers in Northport are long, hot, and muggy, which can be uncomfortable 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
Northport
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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