Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Homewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
10% higher than Homewood's.
| Metric | Madison | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,760 | $1,596 | +10% |
| Groceries | $550 | $450 | +22% |
| Utilities | $245 | $180 | +36% |
| Transport | $195 | $150 | +30% |
| Healthcare | $440 | $250 | +76% |
| Monthly Total | $3,190 | $2,626 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 67% 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 $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Madison | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,500 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $40,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 86,893 idx | 51,187 idx |
| Household Income | $89,100 | $94,485 |
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 | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 68.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Madison 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 | Madison | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,000 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $9.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
High incomes and safety
Drawbacks
Housing costs rising
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.
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
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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