Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Enterprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Enterprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
36% lower than Enterprise's.
| Metric | Decatur | Enterprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $953 | $1,495 | -36% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $387 | $260 | +49% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,160 | $2,525 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Enterprise offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Enterprise delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Decatur is estimated at
$59,000 vs $59,800 in Enterprise.
| Metric | Decatur | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,600 | $47,412 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $59,800 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,714 idx | 57,820 idx |
| Household Income | $61,563 | $73,125 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Enterprise has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Decatur.
Decatur scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Decatur leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Decatur | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 59.0/10 | 19.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Decatur is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Enterprise.
From a growth perspective, Enterprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Decatur has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Decatur | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,291 | 31,698 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.56% |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Decatur
Advantages
The cost of living in Decatur is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Decatur boasts a positive job growth rate of 2.4% over the past year, with major employers in manufacturing, retail, and construction.
The city offers a rich quality of life with abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Tennessee River and numerous cultural attractions.
Healthcare services are comprehensive and high-quality, provided by Decatur Morgan Hospital and its specialized campuses, including the only comprehensive cancer care program in Morgan County.
Decatur has seen a notable decline in overall crime, with violent crime decreasing by over 45% in early 2026 compared to the previous year.
Drawbacks
Despite recent improvements, Decatur's overall crime rate in 2024 was higher than 84% of communities in Alabama, and its violent crime rate was among the highest nationally.
The city is largely car-dependent, with daily life structured around road networks rather than a dense public transit system.
While the average individual salary is lower than the national GDP per capita, requiring a higher salary to live comfortably as a single adult.
Summers are hot and humid, with muggy conditions common from June to August, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Specific data for new business growth rate and traffic index are not readily available, making it harder to assess certain economic and transportation aspects.
Enterprise
Advantages
The median rent in Enterprise is 23% below the national average, making housing more affordable.
Enterprise has a growing population, with a 1.56% annual growth rate in 2026.
The city's unemployment rate was 2.3% in April 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Medical Center Enterprise earned an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade in Spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare services.
The city offers a newly renovated recreation center with modern fitness and aquatic facilities, enhancing community amenities.
Drawbacks
Enterprise has a low Walk Score of 19, indicating it is a car-dependent city with limited walkability.
Public transit options are very limited, with a low Transit Access score of 1/10.
Crime rates in Enterprise are reported to be higher than the national average, particularly for violent crimes.
Summers in Enterprise are long, hot, and oppressive, with high humidity levels.
Some online claims about the city's crime rate rely on outdated data, leading to potential misinformation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Decatur
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$953
Avg Salary
$42,600
Cost Index
84
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
59.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
Enterprise
#36Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$47,412
Cost Index
82
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
19.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.56%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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