Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Gadsden
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Gadsden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Gadsden's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Gadsden | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $839 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $589 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $271 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,249 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gadsden offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Alabaster | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,742 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $29,004 |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $40,345 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Gadsden has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Gadsden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gadsden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alabaster is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Alabaster 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 | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,014 | 33,219 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.77% | % |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 38.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Gadsden
Advantages
The cost of living in Gadsden is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with median home values at $167,100 in 2024 and average 1-bedroom rent at $796 in July 2026.
Gadsden boasts natural attractions like Noccalula Falls Park and access to the Coosa River, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Recent major investments, such as Minth Group Limited's $430 million project, are creating over 1,300 new jobs in the automotive manufacturing sector.
Healthcare costs in Gadsden are approximately 23.4% to 24% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Gadsden's population is projected to decline by -0.44% annually in 2026.
The city has a higher crime rate, with overall crime 49% above the national average and violent crime 62% higher.
Gadsden is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 25 and limited public transit options.
The median household income of $40,345 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Utilities, particularly energy bills, are reported to be higher than the national average.
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
Gadsden
#95Alabama, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$839
Avg Salary
$55,742
Cost Index
85
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
59
Business
60
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