Alabaster, AL vs Auburn, AL
Alabaster, AL and Auburn, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Alabaster scores 94 while Auburn scores 90 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Alabaster is $1,375/month compared to $1,034/month in Auburn — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Alabaster actually has lower median home values ($242,600 vs $342,400).
Median household income in Alabaster is $90,163 compared to $56,123 in Auburn (+60.7%). While Alabaster is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alabaster spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Auburn.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.4°F vs 66.6°F). Alabaster receives more rainfall at 56.2" per year compared to 48.8" in Auburn.
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Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)