Performance
Score Breakdown
Northport
Birmingham
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Northport's average rent is
43% higher than Birmingham's.
| Metric | Northport | Birmingham | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $1,181 | +43% |
| Groceries | $450 | $440 | +2% |
| Utilities | $250 | $275 | -9% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,784 | $2,166 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Birmingham offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Northport is estimated at
$45,000 vs $63,000 in Birmingham.
| Metric | Northport | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,414 | $58,531 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $63,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,051 idx | 65,034 idx |
| Household Income | $80,913 | $46,051 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Northport | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Northport | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Walkability | 27.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Birmingham is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport 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 | Northport | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,714 | 195,033 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | % |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Birmingham
Advantages
The cost of living in Birmingham is approximately 10% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with the average rent at $1,181 per month as of July 2026.
Birmingham is a major healthcare hub with several highly-ranked hospitals, including UAB Hospital.
The city's economy is diversifying with notable growth in technology and financial occupations.
The unemployment rate in Birmingham was 3.2% in April 2026, which is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Birmingham has a high crime rate, with a crime index of 61.14 and a homicide rate significantly above the national average in 2024.
The city's population has been experiencing a slight annual decline.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, indicating high car dependency.
Job growth in Birmingham has been below the U.S. average in recent years.
Utility costs in Birmingham are slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Birmingham
#16Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,181
Avg Salary
$58,531
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
68
Business
65
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