Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Sydney (Cape Breton)
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Sydney (Cape Breton).
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
100% lower than Sydney (Cape Breton)'s.
| Metric | Decatur | Sydney (Cape Breton) | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,800 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,800 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Decatur offers 73% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Decatur | Sydney (Cape Breton) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,363 | $32,500 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $52,800 |
| Household Income | $68,116 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Sydney (Cape Breton) |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sydney (Cape Breton) has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Decatur.
Sydney (Cape Breton) scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sydney (Cape Breton) leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Decatur | Sydney (Cape Breton) |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 81.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Decatur is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Sydney (Cape Breton).
From a growth perspective, Decatur is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Decatur has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Decatur | Sydney (Cape Breton) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,361 | 29,900 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 6.91% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Decatur
Advantages
The cost of living in Decatur is notably lower than the national average, including housing, utilities, and transportation.
Decatur boasts a higher homeownership rate (74.6% in 2024) compared to the national average.
The median property value in Decatur increased by 9.46% between 2023 and 2024.
The average commute time of 26 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Decatur's job market is predicted to have a positive future growth of 30.5% over the next ten years.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Decatur is slightly higher than the average U.S. city, with a C- grade for safety.
Amenities in Decatur received a concerning score of 'F' in a livability assessment.
The city exhibits a medium to high car dependency due to limited public transit options and walkability.
The average salary in Decatur ($56,363 in June 2026) is lower than the national average.
Humidity levels can be uncomfortably high during the summer months from June to August.
Sydney (Cape Breton)
Advantages
Overall crime rates in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality decreased in 2024, continuing a three-year trend.
The cost of living in Sydney is lower than the national and provincial averages, making it more affordable.
Sydney boasts a very walkable core, with a Walk Score of 81 out of 100.
The population of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is getting younger, reversing a long-standing trend.
Public transit in CBRM has been modernized with new payment options and a flat fare system as of June 2026.
Drawbacks
Despite overall crime rate decreases, violent crime severity increased in 2024 due to a rise in homicides.
Affordable housing is a serious issue in Cape Breton, with limited options available.
Employment in some sectors like manufacturing, finance, and professional/technical services is disproportionately low in Cape Breton compared to the provincial average.
Pedestrian navigation can be difficult outside of the very walkable core, and cycling infrastructure is poor.
Residents expressed crime prevention and policing as top concerns in early 2026, highlighting serious crimes.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Decatur
#21Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$56,363
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
73
Business
0
Sydney (Cape Breton)
#13Nova Scotia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$32,500
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
81.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
74
Business
68
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