Performance
Score Breakdown
Hoover
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hoover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Northport.
| Metric | Hoover | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,570 | $1,500 | +5% |
| Groceries | $450 | $423 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $158 | +14% |
| Transport | $150 | $385 | -61% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $263 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,729 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 56% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hoover delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hoover is estimated at
$60,000 vs $40,836 in Northport.
| Metric | Hoover | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,405 | $43,761 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $40,836 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,533 idx | 44,654 idx |
| Household Income | $109,253 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hoover | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Hoover scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Northport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hoover | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 17.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hoover is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hoover has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hoover | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,013 | 33,797 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 4.10% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hoover
Advantages
Hoover boasts a low unemployment rate of 2% as of 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The median household income in Hoover was $109,253 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Crime rates are notably low, with violent crime at 4.5 per 1,000 residents, contributing to a safe community environment.
The city offers excellent access to high-quality healthcare facilities in the nearby Birmingham metropolitan area.
Hoover has a high homeownership rate of 71.1% as of 2024, reflecting a stable housing market.
Drawbacks
Hoover is a car-dependent city with limited public transportation options, requiring most errands to be done by car.
The overall cost of living in Hoover is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 105.9.
Average rent prices, while more affordable than some major U.S. cities, are still above the state average.
Summers in Hoover are long, hot, and muggy, with average highs in the mid-to-high 90s in July.
The city experiences high annual precipitation, averaging around 58 inches.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 2% lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being 23.8% lower.
Northport is known for being a safe place to live, contributing to peace of mind for residents.
The city boasts a livability score of 76 out of 100, ranking well for amenities, cost of living, and housing.
The median household income in Northport was $80,913 in 2024, reflecting a 4.03% one-year growth.
The average home value increased by 2.3% over the past year to $268,786 as of April 2026.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options within Northport are very limited, making the city largely car-dependent.
The average Walk Score for Northport is 27, indicating that most errands require a car.
While the overall cost of living is lower, food expenses are slightly above the national average.
Job growth rate data for Northport specifically is not readily available, with some data indicating a slight decline in employed population in 2024.
Summers in Northport are long, hot, and muggy, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hoover
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,570
Avg Salary
$68,405
Cost Index
106
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
77
Business
72
Northport
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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