Performance
Score Breakdown
Vestavia Hills
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Homewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% higher compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vestavia Hills's average rent is
25% higher than Homewood's.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,995 | $1,596 | +25% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,995 | $2,626 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Vestavia Hills delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Vestavia Hills is estimated at
$52,560 vs $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,812 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $52,560 | $40,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,097 idx | 51,187 idx |
| Household Income | $134,369 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Homewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vestavia Hills is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,556 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 1.80% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a crime rate 51% below the national average as of 2026, making it a very safe community.
The city's public schools are highly rated, contributing to its reputation as an excellent place for families.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Residents enjoy a high quality of life, with a livability score of 83/100, placing it in the 97th percentile of cities.
The average commute time of 19.3 minutes is shorter than the national average, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is notably higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Walkability in Vestavia Hills is low, with a walk score of 0/100, indicating high car dependency.
Public transportation options are limited, requiring most residents to rely on personal vehicles for commuting and daily errands.
While overall crime is low, the robbery rate in Vestavia Hills is 28% above the national average as of 2026.
The city's amenities score is rated 'F' by one source, suggesting potential limitations in certain recreational or service offerings.
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood boasts a significantly shorter average commute time of 17.1 minutes compared to the national average.
The median household income in Homewood was $94,485 in 2024, notably higher than the national average.
The city has a healthy job market with a 1.38% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Homewood offers a strong sense of community and access to highly-rated public schools.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital within the city and major medical centers nearby.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices in Homewood are higher than the national average, potentially impacting affordability for buyers.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work, and limited public transit options.
Summers in Homewood are long, hot, and muggy, which may be a drawback for some.
While generally safe, there have been reports of attempted car theft and homelessness in the area.
The median age of 29 is lower than the national average, which might not appeal to those seeking a more established, older demographic.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Vestavia Hills
#7Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$66,812
Cost Index
115
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
83
Business
75
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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