Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Oakville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Oakville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
100% lower than Oakville's.
| Metric | Decatur | Oakville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,749 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $339 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $108 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $110 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,486 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakville offers 27% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Decatur | Oakville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,363 | $76,896 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $68,904 |
| Household Income | $68,116 | $110,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Oakville |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Oakville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
13,000 minutes (217 hours) per year compared to Decatur.
| Metric | Decatur | Oakville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oakville is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Decatur.
From a growth perspective, Decatur 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 | Oakville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,361 | 233,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | % |
| Median Age | 40.5 | |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 6.91% |
| 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.
Oakville
Advantages
Oakville consistently ranks among the safest communities in Canada with a low crime rate.
The town offers excellent access to healthcare services, ranking highly in Ontario and Canada.
Oakville has a highly educated population, with over 85% of adults holding post-secondary degrees.
The median household income in Oakville is significantly higher than the provincial average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Oakville is recognized for its vibrant community and high quality of life.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Oakville, particularly housing, is considerably higher than the national average.
Despite a recent drop, average rent in Oakville remains one of the highest in the country.
A car is generally essential for getting around Oakville due to its suburban layout.
Some services not covered by OHIP, such as doctor's notes or certain forms, incur additional fees.
While amenities are good, the amenities score can be surprisingly low in some livability assessments.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Decatur
#21Alabama, 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
Oakville
#3Ontario, Canada
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,749
Avg Salary
$76,896
Cost Index
86
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
84
Business
75
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