Performance
Score Breakdown
Northport
Madison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% higher compared to Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Northport's average rent is
24% higher than Madison's.
| Metric | Northport | Madison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $1,358 | +24% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $250 | $223 | +12% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,784 | $2,381 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Northport is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Madison.
| Metric | Northport | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,414 | $56,185 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,051 idx | 58,526 idx |
| Household Income | $80,913 | $134,655 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Northport | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2 minutes of each other.
Madison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Northport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Northport | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 27.0/10 | 17.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Northport | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,714 | 64,029 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | 4.40% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 2.00% |
| 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.
Madison
Advantages
Madison was ranked as the #9 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by Niche in 2025.
The city's overall crime rate is estimated to be 39% below the national average as of 2026, indicating a high level of safety.
The median household income of $134,655 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Madison's job market is robust, with employment growing by 7.19% from 2023-2024, particularly in the aerospace and technology sectors.
The city is known for its excellent school systems and a highly family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Madison exhibits high car dependency with a low walkability score of 17 and very limited public transit options.
Summers in Madison are characterized as long, muggy, and hot, with high humidity levels.
While overall healthcare costs are below the national average, they are slightly above the Alabama state average.
Some southeastern neighborhoods of Madison report higher crime rates compared to the safer central areas.
The median home price of approximately $420,000 in mid-2024 is higher than the average for the state of Alabama.
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
Madison
#2Alabama, USA
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,358
Avg Salary
$56,185
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.40%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
76
Business
78
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