Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Alabaster
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Madison.
| Metric | Madison | Alabaster | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,760 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $550 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $245 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $195 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $440 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,190 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 124% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$73,000 vs $72,000 in Alabaster.
| Metric | Madison | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,500 | $40,018 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 86,893 idx | 40,835 idx |
| Household Income | $89,100 | $91,357 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 62.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | % |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,000 | 33,917 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $9.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
High incomes and safety
Drawbacks
Housing costs rising
Alabaster
Advantages
Affordability compared to national averages.
High homeownership rate and stable housing market.
Strong job growth, particularly in healthcare and education.
Family-friendly environment with good schools and community events.
Low crime rates contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability.
Longer-than-average commute times.
Limited amenities within walking distance.
Inaccessibility of certain health-related facilities in some areas.
Hot summers can be a factor for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Madison
#1Alabama, USA
91.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,760
Avg Salary
$89,500
Cost Index
103
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
92
Business
89
Alabaster
#12Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,018
Cost Index
98
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
80
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