City Comparison
Bessemer vs Huntsville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
Alabama, USA
View Bessemer profile
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VS
Huntsville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bessemer
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Bessemer | 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 | Bessemer | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $64,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bessemer | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bessemer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Huntsville.
| Metric | Bessemer | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | — | — |
| Walkability | — | — |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bessemer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bessemer | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 234,859 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.70% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | |
| Unemployment | % | 2.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bessemer
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.
Bessemer
Alabama, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
Huntsville
#435Alabama, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
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