Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Homewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Huntsville.
| Metric | Huntsville | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,596 | -9% |
| Groceries | $510 | $450 | +13% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $420 | $250 | +68% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,626 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 28% 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 $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Huntsville | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $40,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 51,187 idx |
| Household Income | $68,900 | $94,485 |
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 | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Huntsville.
Huntsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Huntsville | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 43.2/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.5/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 8.1x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 225,564 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $38.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood boasts a significantly shorter average commute time of 17.1 minutes compared to the national average.
The median household income in Homewood was $94,485 in 2024, notably higher than the national average.
The city has a healthy job market with a 1.38% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Homewood offers a strong sense of community and access to highly-rated public schools.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital within the city and major medical centers nearby.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices in Homewood are higher than the national average, potentially impacting affordability for buyers.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work, and limited public transit options.
Summers in Homewood are long, hot, and muggy, which may be a drawback for some.
While generally safe, there have been reports of attempted car theft and homelessness in the area.
The median age of 29 is lower than the national average, which might not appeal to those seeking a more established, older demographic.
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
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Huntsville and Homewood.
Open Cost Calculator