Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Prattville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prattville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% higher compared to Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
13% higher than Prattville's.
| Metric | Madison | Prattville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,358 | $1,200 | +13% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $223 | $180 | +24% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,381 | $2,200 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 37% higher 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 Madison is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Prattville.
| Metric | Madison | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,185 | $40,909 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 45,454 idx |
| Household Income | $134,655 | $81,337 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Madison | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Prattville.
For walkability, Prattville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 17.0/10 | 18.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Prattville.
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 | Madison | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,029 | 41,046 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.40% | 1.44% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Prattville
Advantages
The cost of living in Prattville is below the national average, particularly for housing, making it an affordable place to live.
Prattville boasts a high homeownership rate of 67.4% as of 2024, exceeding the national average.
The city has a strong sense of community and is considered family-friendly, with a higher percentage of households with children.
The average commute time of 23.9 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for workers.
Prattville's violent crime rate of 226.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is below the national average.
Drawbacks
Prattville is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 18 and limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a decline in employment by -2.48% from 2023 to 2024, indicating challenges in job growth.
Despite a lower violent crime rate, the overall crime rate in Prattville is considered higher than the national average when compared to communities of similar size.
Amenities in Prattville received a low grade (D) in one livability assessment, suggesting fewer entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Summers in Prattville can be hot and uncomfortably humid, with average humidity levels around 71-73%.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Prattville
#49Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$40,909
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.44%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
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