Alabaster
Alabama, USA
#12 in USA
76
Overall Score
VS
Prattville
Alabama, USA
#14 in USA
75
Overall Score
Alabaster scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Alabaster
Prattville
Livability
76
75
Affordability
70
85
Business
80
70
Growth
75
72
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Cost of Living

Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 100% lower compared to Prattville. Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is 100% lower than Prattville's.
MetricAlabasterPrattvilleDiff
Average Rent
$0$1,407-100%
Groceries
$0$400-100%
Utilities
$0$180-100%
Transport
$0$120-100%
Healthcare
$0$250-100%
Monthly Total
$0$2,357-100%
Cost Index
9891out of 100

Salary & Income

Prattville offers 22% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Prattville delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Alabaster is estimated at $72,000 vs $56,280 in Prattville.
MetricAlabasterPrattville
Average Salary
$40,018$51,379
Salary Needed
$72,000$56,280
Purchasing Power
40,835 idx56,460 idx
Household Income
$91,357$81,337

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricAlabasterPrattville
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Prattville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Alabaster. For walkability, Prattville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricAlabasterPrattville
Commute Time
31 min27 min
Transit Score
10.0/1010.0/10
Walkability
10.0/1018.0/10
Traffic Index
45.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh
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Economy & Demographics

Prattville is the larger city — approximately 0.8x the population of Alabaster. From a growth perspective, Prattville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Prattville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricAlabasterPrattville
Population
33,91741,200
Pop. Growth
0.76%1.96%
Median Age
39.636.9
Unemployment
4.20%2.10%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

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.
Prattville
Advantages
Cost of living is significantly lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
High livability score of 75 out of 100, ranking in the 88th percentile of U.S. cities.
Low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Highly rated public schools and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Access to quality healthcare services through Prattville Baptist Hospital, recognized for patient safety.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability (Walk Score 18) and minimal public transit options.
Average commute time of 27 minutes is slightly above the national average.
Limited amenities compared to larger metropolitan areas, receiving a 'D' rating in some assessments.
Some reports indicate a noticeable smell from a paper factory in town.
While growing, the community may have fewer events targeted at teens or young adults compared to larger cities.
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Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Alabaster
#12
Alabama, 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
View Full Profile
Prattville
#14
Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,407
Avg Salary
$51,379
Cost Index
91
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
View Full Profile

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