Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Florence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Florence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
60% higher compared to Austin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Austin's average rent is
108% higher than Florence's.
| Metric | Austin | Florence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $895 | +108% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $200 | $165 | +21% |
| Transport | $90 | $105 | -14% |
| Healthcare | $175 | $150 | +17% |
| Monthly Total | $2,781 | $1,735 | +60% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers 52% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Austin is estimated at
$69,000 vs $41,317 in Florence.
| Metric | Austin | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,152 | $48,714 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $41,317 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,242 idx | 58,692 idx |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $52,174 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Florence has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Austin.
Austin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Austin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 23.7x the population of Florence.
From a growth perspective, Florence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Florence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 42,716 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin's job market is robust, with 2.0% growth in 2025, ranking it as the best-performing among the 50 largest U.S. metros.
The unemployment rate in Austin is low, at 3.7% in January 2026, outperforming state and national averages.
Austin's violent crime rate in 2025 was 22% below the national average, contributing to a relatively safe urban environment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, renowned for its live music, diverse dining, and extensive outdoor recreational opportunities.
Texas has no state income tax, allowing residents to retain more of their earnings.
Drawbacks
Despite recent dips, housing costs in Austin remain a significant expense, with average rent at $1,866/month in June 2026.
The overall crime rate in Austin is 23% below the national average, but it is 75% higher than the U.S. average and 44% higher than Texas according to 2024 FBI figures.
Austin exhibits high car dependency, with 56% of commuters driving alone in 2024, indicating challenges in public transit and walkability for some areas.
Some key industries, such as information and manufacturing, experienced job declines in 2025.
The average cost of a doctor's visit without insurance in Austin is relatively high at $175.
Florence
Advantages
The cost of living in Florence is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Florence boasts a vibrant arts scene, cultural festivals, and numerous recreational opportunities, enhancing the quality of life.
The city has experienced positive job growth, with employment increasing by 6.33% from 2023 to 2024.
Housing is more affordable in Florence, with median property values and average rents considerably below national figures.
The average commute time of 18.7 minutes is shorter than the national average, contributing to less time spent in traffic.
Drawbacks
Florence's violent crime rate is 35.9% above the national average, posing a concern for safety.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and few bike lanes.
The median household income in Florence is lower than that of the state of Alabama and Lauderdale County.
While overall crime rate dropped, the violent crime rate remains a significant drawback.
The walkability score of 32 indicates that most errands require a car.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#8Texas, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$74,152
Cost Index
96
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
82
Business
85
Florence
#36Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$895
Avg Salary
$48,714
Cost Index
83
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
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