Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Huntsville's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,522 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $701 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $337 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $349 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $137 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $3,046 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Alabaster | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $64,000 |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $74,714 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Huntsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
For walkability, Alabaster leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Alabaster.
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 | Alabaster | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,014 | 234,859 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.77% | 2.70% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.30% |
| 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.
Huntsville
Advantages
Huntsville was ranked the nation's most financially resilient city in 2026, indicating strong economic stability.
The city consistently boasts shorter commute times compared to larger metropolitan areas, with most residents reporting 15-20 minute commutes.
Huntsville ranked 17th out of 200 cities for overall driving safety in 2026, with drivers averaging over 12 years between collisions.
The average cost of assisted living in Huntsville is lower than both the state and national averages.
Huntsville climbed to the No. 2 position in the Milken Institute's 2026 Best-Performing Cities Index, highlighting its economic strength.
Drawbacks
Huntsville's overall crime rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Violent crimes in Huntsville are 35% higher than the national average.
Huntsville drivers rank among the worst in the nation for speeding, according to a 2026 report.
The city is considered less safe than the Alabama state average and the national average in terms of crime rate.
While overall utilities are lower, grocery prices in Huntsville are slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Huntsville
#9Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
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