Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Florence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Florence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Florence's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Florence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,195 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $550 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $344 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $323 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $126 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,538 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Florence offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Alabaster | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $41,838 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $52,000 |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $52,174 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Florence has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Florence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Florence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Florence is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Florence 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.
| Metric | Alabaster | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,014 | 43,097 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.77% | 1.21% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
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.
Florence
Advantages
The cost of living in Florence is 16.8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with the median home price at $235,000 in May 2026, which is 49% lower than the national average.
Florence experienced a strong employment growth rate of 6.33% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time is relatively short at 18.7 minutes.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene and access to outdoor activities along the Tennessee River.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Florence is 25% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 75% higher.
Florence has a low Walk Score of 32, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Public transit options are limited, contributing to the city's car-dependent nature.
A significant portion of major roads and highways in the Florence area are in poor or mediocre condition.
The unemployment rate for Florence specifically was not readily available in recent data.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alabaster
#13Alabama, 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
Florence
#64Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,195
Avg Salary
$41,838
Cost Index
83
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.21%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
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