Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vestavia Hills is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% higher compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Huntsville's average rent is
23% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Huntsville | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,522 | $1,975 | -23% |
| Groceries | $701 | $425 | +65% |
| Utilities | $337 | $180 | +87% |
| Transport | $349 | $150 | +133% |
| Healthcare | $137 | $120 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $3,046 | $2,850 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Huntsville | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $74,714 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Huntsville | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Vestavia Hills scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Vestavia Hills leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Huntsville | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 6.1x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 234,859 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.70% | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 2.30% | 2.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
Huntsville
#21Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
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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