Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Homewood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Homewood's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,596 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,626 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Homewood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alabaster is estimated at
$72,000 vs $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Alabaster | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,018 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $40,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,835 idx | 51,187 idx |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Homewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alabaster is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alabaster | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,917 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alabaster
Advantages
Affordability compared to national averages.
High homeownership rate and stable housing market.
Strong job growth, particularly in healthcare and education.
Family-friendly environment with good schools and community events.
Low crime rates contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability.
Longer-than-average commute times.
Limited amenities within walking distance.
Inaccessibility of certain health-related facilities in some areas.
Hot summers can be a factor for some residents.
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood boasts a significantly shorter average commute time of 17.1 minutes compared to the national average.
The median household income in Homewood was $94,485 in 2024, notably higher than the national average.
The city has a healthy job market with a 1.38% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Homewood offers a strong sense of community and access to highly-rated public schools.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital within the city and major medical centers nearby.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices in Homewood are higher than the national average, potentially impacting affordability for buyers.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work, and limited public transit options.
Summers in Homewood are long, hot, and muggy, which may be a drawback for some.
While generally safe, there have been reports of attempted car theft and homelessness in the area.
The median age of 29 is lower than the national average, which might not appeal to those seeking a more established, older demographic.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alabaster
#12Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,018
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
80
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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