Performance
Score Breakdown
Vestavia Hills
Nashville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nashville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% higher compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vestavia Hills's average rent is
18% higher than Nashville's.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,995 | $1,684 | +18% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $260 | -31% |
| Transport | $120 | $180 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $140 | +79% |
| Monthly Total | $2,995 | $2,664 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Vestavia Hills is estimated at
$52,560 vs $67,356 in Nashville.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,812 | $93,454 |
| Salary Needed | $52,560 | $67,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,097 idx | 97,348 idx |
| Household Income | $134,369 | $77,371 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vestavia Hills has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
Nashville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nashville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,556 | 712,581 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.54% |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 1.80% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a crime rate 51% below the national average as of 2026, making it a very safe community.
The city's public schools are highly rated, contributing to its reputation as an excellent place for families.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Residents enjoy a high quality of life, with a livability score of 83/100, placing it in the 97th percentile of cities.
The average commute time of 19.3 minutes is shorter than the national average, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is notably higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Walkability in Vestavia Hills is low, with a walk score of 0/100, indicating high car dependency.
Public transportation options are limited, requiring most residents to rely on personal vehicles for commuting and daily errands.
While overall crime is low, the robbery rate in Vestavia Hills is 28% above the national average as of 2026.
The city's amenities score is rated 'F' by one source, suggesting potential limitations in certain recreational or service offerings.
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Vestavia Hills
#7Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$66,812
Cost Index
115
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
83
Business
75
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
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