Performance
Score Breakdown
Homewood
Alabaster
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Homewood.
| Metric | Homewood | Alabaster | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $440 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $275 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $80 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $625 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,820 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Homewood | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,695 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $94,485 | $91,357 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Homewood | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
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 | Homewood | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alabaster is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Homewood | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,830 | 35,014 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.77% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 39.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 2.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood offers a high quality of life with a strong community feel and excellent local amenities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a robust job market.
Homewood provides convenient access to major employment centers and top-tier healthcare facilities in downtown Birmingham.
The overall cost of living is lower than the national average, despite higher housing costs compared to the broader metro area.
Homewood is noted for its walkability, allowing residents to access many local amenities on foot.
Drawbacks
Housing costs in Homewood are significantly higher than in other parts of the Birmingham metropolitan area.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 82% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
Public transportation options are limited, with only 1% of residents relying on public transit.
Major traffic congestion can be an issue on key routes like US-280, impacting commute times.
The median household income saw a 12.8% decline in 2024, despite a high average household income.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Homewood
#3Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,695
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
Alabaster
#5Alabama, 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
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