Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Prattville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prattville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
35% higher compared to Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
25% higher than Prattville's.
| Metric | Madison | Prattville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,760 | $1,407 | +25% |
| Groceries | $550 | $400 | +38% |
| Utilities | $245 | $180 | +36% |
| Transport | $195 | $120 | +63% |
| Healthcare | $440 | $250 | +76% |
| Monthly Total | $3,190 | $2,357 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 74% 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 $56,280 in Prattville.
| Metric | Madison | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,500 | $51,379 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $56,280 |
| Purchasing Power | 86,893 idx | 56,460 idx |
| Household Income | $89,100 | $81,337 |
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 | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 70.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Prattville.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prattville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,000 | 41,200 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 1.96% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.9 |
| 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
Prattville
Advantages
Cost of living is significantly lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
High livability score of 75 out of 100, ranking in the 88th percentile of U.S. cities.
Low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Highly rated public schools and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Access to quality healthcare services through Prattville Baptist Hospital, recognized for patient safety.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability (Walk Score 18) and minimal public transit options.
Average commute time of 27 minutes is slightly above the national average.
Limited amenities compared to larger metropolitan areas, receiving a 'D' rating in some assessments.
Some reports indicate a noticeable smell from a paper factory in town.
While growing, the community may have fewer events targeted at teens or young adults compared to larger cities.
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
Prattville
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,407
Avg Salary
$51,379
Cost Index
91
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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