Performance
Score Breakdown
Gadsden
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gadsden's average rent is
58% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Gadsden | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $839 | $1,975 | -58% |
| Groceries | $589 | $425 | +39% |
| Utilities | $271 | $180 | +51% |
| Transport | $400 | $150 | +167% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,249 | $2,850 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gadsden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gadsden is estimated at
$29,004 vs $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Gadsden | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,742 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $29,004 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,579 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $40,345 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gadsden | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vestavia Hills has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Gadsden.
For walkability, Gadsden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gadsden | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 25.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vestavia Hills is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gadsden | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,219 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gadsden
Advantages
The cost of living in Gadsden is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with median home values at $167,100 in 2024 and average 1-bedroom rent at $796 in July 2026.
Gadsden boasts natural attractions like Noccalula Falls Park and access to the Coosa River, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Recent major investments, such as Minth Group Limited's $430 million project, are creating over 1,300 new jobs in the automotive manufacturing sector.
Healthcare costs in Gadsden are approximately 23.4% to 24% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Gadsden's population is projected to decline by -0.44% annually in 2026.
The city has a higher crime rate, with overall crime 49% above the national average and violent crime 62% higher.
Gadsden is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 25 and limited public transit options.
The median household income of $40,345 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Utilities, particularly energy bills, are reported to be higher than the national average.
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a top-rated public school system, consistently ranked among the best in Alabama.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant recreational parks, green spaces, and community events.
Vestavia Hills is considered a very safe community with a high safety score and low violent crime rates.
Residents benefit from a relatively short average commute time of 19.3 minutes.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is 24% higher than the national average, primarily due to high housing costs.
Housing costs, including both renting and buying, are approximately 90% higher than the national average.
The city is largely car-dependent with low walkability (score of 22) and minimal public transit options.
Employment in Vestavia Hills experienced a decline of -1.89% from 2023 to 2024.
Natural gas prices in Vestavia Hills averaged $23.38 per thousand cubic feet in November 2024, which was approximately 56.6% more than the U.S. average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gadsden
#95Alabama, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$839
Avg Salary
$55,742
Cost Index
85
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
59
Business
60
Vestavia Hills
#3Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$68,012
Cost Index
124
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.48%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
88
Business
75
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