Performance
Score Breakdown
Auburn
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Homewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Auburn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Auburn's average rent is
45% higher than Homewood's.
| Metric | Auburn | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,032 | $1,400 | +45% |
| Groceries | $350 | $440 | -20% |
| Utilities | $229 | $275 | -17% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $160 | $625 | -74% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $2,820 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Homewood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Auburn is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Auburn | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,096 | $65,695 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,225 idx | 71,408 idx |
| Household Income | $63,668 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Auburn | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Auburn.
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 | Auburn | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 70.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Auburn is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Auburn 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 | Auburn | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,918 | 28,830 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.20% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Auburn
Advantages
Auburn consistently ranks among the top places to live in the U.S., recognized for its high quality of life and welcoming community.
The city boasts a nationally ranked public school system, making it attractive for families. [cite: 13, 15 in previous search, 39]
Auburn's economy is strong and growing, ranking among the top 10 Best-Performing Small Cities in 2026.
The cost of living in Auburn is 4% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being particularly affordable.
Crime rates saw an overall decrease in 2024, with significant drops in violent, property, and non-violent crimes.
Drawbacks
Despite overall affordability, utility costs in Auburn are 6% higher than the national average, largely due to high energy consumption for cooling.
Auburn is primarily a car-dependent city with limited public transit options, reflected in its average Walk Score of 28.
While violent crime is low, NeighborhoodScout indicates that Auburn's property crime rate is above average compared to all communities in America. [cite: 26 in previous search]
The median age of 25.9 years, while vibrant, might indicate a younger demographic that may not appeal to all residents.
The state of Alabama's health system was ranked 42nd nationally in 2025, suggesting broader systemic challenges despite local hospital quality. [cite: 45 in previous search]
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Auburn
#21Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,032
Avg Salary
$51,096
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.20%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
70
Homewood
#5Alabama, 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
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