Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Northport's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,684 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,784 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Northport offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Alabaster | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $44,414 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Northport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
For walkability, Northport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alabaster is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Alabaster is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alabaster | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,014 | 31,714 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.77% | 0.21% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.10% |
| 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.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 13% less than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Northport ranks in the 68th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than a majority of U.S. cities.
The city boasts a strong sense of community and a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
Residents have access to numerous parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and fishing.
The historic downtown district offers a vibrant arts scene, unique shops, and diverse dining experiences.
Drawbacks
Northport exhibits high car dependency, with limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a slight decline in overall employment at a rate of -0.243% from 2023 to 2024.
While generally safe, Northport's crime rate is higher than average when compared to other communities of similar population sizes.
Specific data for certain cost breakdowns, like monthly transit passes and home purchase price per square foot, are not readily available for recent years.
The walkability score of 27 indicates that most daily errands require a car.
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
Northport
#9Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$44,414
Cost Index
87
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
76
Business
60
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