Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Gadsden
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
52% higher compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Huntsville's average rent is
107% higher than Gadsden's.
| Metric | Huntsville | Gadsden | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $700 | +107% |
| Groceries | $510 | $450 | +13% |
| Utilities | $220 | $283 | -22% |
| Transport | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $420 | $250 | +68% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $1,833 | +52% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 56% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $50,000 in Gadsden.
| Metric | Huntsville | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $44,346 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 52,172 idx |
| Household Income | $68,900 | $40,345 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Huntsville runs warmer on average — a 62.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Huntsville comes out ahead with 213 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Huntsville sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Huntsville | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 213 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Huntsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Huntsville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Huntsville | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 43.2/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.5/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gadsden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 225,564 | 33,374 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | % |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $38.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
Gadsden
Advantages
Median home sale price of $165,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Overall cost of living is 15% lower than the national average.
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is around $700 per month (June 2026), offering affordable rental options.
Home to two hospitals, Gadsden Regional Medical Center and Riverview Regional Medical Center, offering top-rated programs and quality care.
Features a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons, providing varied weather experiences throughout the year.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate is 49% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 62% higher.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 25, meaning most errands require a car.
Median household income of $40,345 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Population has experienced a negative growth rate of -1.2% annually between 2019 and 2024.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Huntsville
#2Alabama, USA
86.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
43.2/10
Walkability
39.5/10
Sunny Days
213/yr
Avg Temp
62.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
85
Business
90
Gadsden
#40Alabama, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$44,346
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
Business
58
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