Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Northport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% higher compared to Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
17% higher than Northport's.
| Metric | Madison | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,760 | $1,500 | +17% |
| Groceries | $550 | $423 | +30% |
| Utilities | $245 | $158 | +55% |
| Transport | $195 | $385 | -49% |
| Healthcare | $440 | $263 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,190 | $2,729 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 105% 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 $40,836 in Northport.
| Metric | Madison | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,500 | $43,761 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $40,836 |
| Purchasing Power | 86,893 idx | 44,654 idx |
| Household Income | $89,100 | $80,913 |
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 | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 72.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,000 | 33,797 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 4.10% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $9.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
High incomes and safety
Drawbacks
Housing costs rising
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.
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
Northport
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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