Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Madison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Madison's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Madison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,358 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $223 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,381 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Alabaster | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $56,185 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $134,655 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Madison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 17.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alabaster | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,014 | 64,029 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.77% | 4.40% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.00% |
| 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.
Madison
Advantages
Madison was ranked as the #9 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by Niche in 2025.
The city's overall crime rate is estimated to be 39% below the national average as of 2026, indicating a high level of safety.
The median household income of $134,655 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Madison's job market is robust, with employment growing by 7.19% from 2023-2024, particularly in the aerospace and technology sectors.
The city is known for its excellent school systems and a highly family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Madison exhibits high car dependency with a low walkability score of 17 and very limited public transit options.
Summers in Madison are characterized as long, muggy, and hot, with high humidity levels.
While overall healthcare costs are below the national average, they are slightly above the Alabama state average.
Some southeastern neighborhoods of Madison report higher crime rates compared to the safer central areas.
The median home price of approximately $420,000 in mid-2024 is higher than the average for the state of Alabama.
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
Madison
#2Alabama, USA
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,358
Avg Salary
$56,185
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.40%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
76
Business
78
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