Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% lower compared to Huntsville.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,320 | $1,450 | -9% |
| Groceries | $495 | $510 | -3% |
| Utilities | $205 | $220 | -7% |
| Transport | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Healthcare | $395 | $420 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,585 | $2,780 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 12% lower 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 Birmingham is estimated at
$54,000 vs $58,000 in Huntsville.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,539 idx | 75,000 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $68,900 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Huntsville sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | 62.40°F |
| Summer High | 91.00°F | 89.00°F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | 33.00°F |
| Rainfall | 56.50 in | 55.20 in |
| Snowfall | 1.30 in | 2.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | 213 |
| Humidity | 69.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Huntsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 41.8/10 | 43.2/10 |
| Walkability | 45.1/10 | 39.5/10 |
| Traffic Index | 52.40 | 46.10 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Birmingham.
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 | Birmingham | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,910 | 225,564 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $52.0B | $38.7B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#14Alabama, USA
78.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,320
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
41.8/10
Walkability
45.1/10
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
77
Business
79
Huntsville
#5Alabama, 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
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