Alabaster, AL vs Calera, AL

Alabaster, AL and Calera, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Alabaster scores 94 while Calera scores 95 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 $1,505/month in Calera — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alabaster has cheaper rent, Calera actually has lower median home values ($214,200 vs $242,600).

Median household income in Alabaster is $90,163 compared to $82,441 in Calera (+9.4%). Alabaster offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alabaster spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Calera.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.4°F vs 64.4°F). Calera receives more rainfall at 56.2" per year compared to 56.2" in Alabaster.