Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
100% lower than Northport's.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,684 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,784 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Decatur offers 27% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,363 | $44,414 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $68,116 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Northport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Decatur.
For walkability, Northport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Decatur is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Decatur is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Decatur | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,361 | 31,714 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.21% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Decatur
Advantages
The cost of living in Decatur is notably lower than the national average, including housing, utilities, and transportation.
Decatur boasts a higher homeownership rate (74.6% in 2024) compared to the national average.
The median property value in Decatur increased by 9.46% between 2023 and 2024.
The average commute time of 26 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Decatur's job market is predicted to have a positive future growth of 30.5% over the next ten years.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Decatur is slightly higher than the average U.S. city, with a C- grade for safety.
Amenities in Decatur received a concerning score of 'F' in a livability assessment.
The city exhibits a medium to high car dependency due to limited public transit options and walkability.
The average salary in Decatur ($56,363 in June 2026) is lower than the national average.
Humidity levels can be uncomfortably high during the summer months from June to August.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 13% less than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Northport ranks in the 68th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than a majority of U.S. cities.
The city boasts a strong sense of community and a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
Residents have access to numerous parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and fishing.
The historic downtown district offers a vibrant arts scene, unique shops, and diverse dining experiences.
Drawbacks
Northport exhibits high car dependency, with limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a slight decline in overall employment at a rate of -0.243% from 2023 to 2024.
While generally safe, Northport's crime rate is higher than average when compared to other communities of similar population sizes.
Specific data for certain cost breakdowns, like monthly transit passes and home purchase price per square foot, are not readily available for recent years.
The walkability score of 27 indicates that most daily errands require a car.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Decatur
#23Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$56,363
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
73
Business
0
Northport
#23Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$44,414
Cost Index
87
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
76
Business
60
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