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Alabaster
Alabama, USA
#13 in USA
75
Overall Score
VS
Decatur
Alabama, USA
#21 in USA
72
Overall Score
Alabaster scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Alabaster
Decatur
Livability
75
73
Affordability
92
0
Business
0
0
Growth
0
0

Cost of Living

MetricAlabasterDecaturDiff
Average Rent
$0$00%
Groceries
$0$00%
Utilities
$0$00%
Transport
$0$00%
Healthcare
$0$00%
Monthly Total
$0$00%
Cost Index
out of 100

Salary & Income

Decatur offers 100% lower average salaries.
MetricAlabasterDecatur
Average Salary
$0$56,363
Salary Needed
$0$0
Household Income
$91,357$68,116

Climate Comparison

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

Commute & Transport

Decatur has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Alabaster. For walkability, Alabaster leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricAlabasterDecatur
Commute Time
31 min26 min
Transit Score
0.0/100.0/10
Walkability
10.0/100.0/10
Traffic Index
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Decatur is the larger city — approximately 0.6x the population of Alabaster. From a growth perspective, Decatur is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Alabaster has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricAlabasterDecatur
Population
35,01457,361
Pop. Growth
0.77%1.30%
Median Age
39.640.5
Unemployment
2.50%3.00%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Alabaster
Advantages
Alabaster boasts exceptionally low violent crime rates, significantly below the national average, contributing to a strong sense of safety.
The overall cost of living in Alabaster is lower than the national average.
The median household income in Alabaster ($91,357 in 2024) is higher than both the state and national averages.
Alabaster's public schools are highly rated, making it an attractive place for families.
The city has a thriving and diverse economy with a 2.5% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
Alabaster has a low walkability score, meaning most errands require a car.
Public transportation is not readily available in Alabaster.
The average commute time of 30-32 minutes is longer than the national average.
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance.
Limited nightlife and dining options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Decatur
Advantages
The cost of living in Decatur is notably lower than the national average, including housing, utilities, and transportation.
Decatur boasts a higher homeownership rate (74.6% in 2024) compared to the national average.
The median property value in Decatur increased by 9.46% between 2023 and 2024.
The average commute time of 26 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Decatur's job market is predicted to have a positive future growth of 30.5% over the next ten years.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Decatur is slightly higher than the average U.S. city, with a C- grade for safety.
Amenities in Decatur received a concerning score of 'F' in a livability assessment.
The city exhibits a medium to high car dependency due to limited public transit options and walkability.
The average salary in Decatur ($56,363 in June 2026) is lower than the national average.
Humidity levels can be uncomfortably high during the summer months from June to August.

Dive Deeper

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

Alabaster
#13
Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.77%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
75
Business
0
View Full Profile
Decatur
#21
Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$56,363
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
73
Business
0
View Full Profile

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