Performance
Score Breakdown
Auburn
Prattville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prattville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
31% higher compared to Auburn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Auburn's average rent is
69% higher than Prattville's.
| Metric | Auburn | Prattville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,032 | $1,200 | +69% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $229 | $180 | +27% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $160 | $250 | -36% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $2,200 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Auburn offers 25% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Auburn 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 Prattville.
| Metric | Auburn | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,096 | $40,909 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,225 idx | 45,454 idx |
| Household Income | $63,668 | $81,337 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Auburn | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Auburn has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Prattville.
Auburn scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Auburn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Auburn | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 18.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Auburn is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Prattville.
From a growth perspective, Auburn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Auburn has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Auburn | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,918 | 41,046 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.20% | 1.44% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.00% |
| 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]
Prattville
Advantages
The cost of living in Prattville is below the national average, particularly for housing, making it an affordable place to live.
Prattville boasts a high homeownership rate of 67.4% as of 2024, exceeding the national average.
The city has a strong sense of community and is considered family-friendly, with a higher percentage of households with children.
The average commute time of 23.9 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for workers.
Prattville's violent crime rate of 226.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is below the national average.
Drawbacks
Prattville is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 18 and limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a decline in employment by -2.48% from 2023 to 2024, indicating challenges in job growth.
Despite a lower violent crime rate, the overall crime rate in Prattville is considered higher than the national average when compared to communities of similar size.
Amenities in Prattville received a low grade (D) in one livability assessment, suggesting fewer entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Summers in Prattville can be hot and uncomfortably humid, with average humidity levels around 71-73%.
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
Prattville
#49Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$40,909
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.44%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
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