Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% lower compared to Homewood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
40% lower than Homewood's.
| Metric | Decatur | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $953 | $1,596 | -40% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $387 | $180 | +115% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,160 | $2,626 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers 21% 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 Decatur is estimated at
$59,000 vs $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Decatur | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,600 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $40,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,714 idx | 51,187 idx |
| Household Income | $61,563 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Decatur.
Homewood 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 | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 59.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Decatur is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Decatur | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,291 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 2.10% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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