Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Prattville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Prattville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
32% lower than Prattville's.
| Metric | Decatur | Prattville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $953 | $1,407 | -32% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $387 | $180 | +115% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,160 | $2,357 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Prattville offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Prattville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Decatur is estimated at
$59,000 vs $56,280 in Prattville.
| Metric | Decatur | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,600 | $51,379 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $56,280 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,714 idx | 56,460 idx |
| Household Income | $61,563 | $81,337 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 59.0/10 | 18.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Decatur is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Prattville.
From a growth perspective, Prattville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Decatur | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,291 | 41,200 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.96% |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.9 |
| 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.
Prattville
Advantages
Cost of living is significantly lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
High livability score of 75 out of 100, ranking in the 88th percentile of U.S. cities.
Low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Highly rated public schools and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Access to quality healthcare services through Prattville Baptist Hospital, recognized for patient safety.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability (Walk Score 18) and minimal public transit options.
Average commute time of 27 minutes is slightly above the national average.
Limited amenities compared to larger metropolitan areas, receiving a 'D' rating in some assessments.
Some reports indicate a noticeable smell from a paper factory in town.
While growing, the community may have fewer events targeted at teens or young adults compared to larger cities.
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
Prattville
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,407
Avg Salary
$51,379
Cost Index
91
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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