Alabaster, AL vs Hoover, AL
Alabaster is moderately more affordable than Hoover, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Alabaster scores 94 compared to 107 for Hoover, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hoover can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Alabaster is $1,375/month compared to $1,404/month in Hoover — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alabaster is more affordable at $242,600 median vs $391,300.
Median household income in Alabaster is $90,163 compared to $107,822 in Hoover (-16.4%). While Hoover 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, more than the 15.6% in Hoover.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.4°F vs 63.9°F). Hoover receives more rainfall at 56.6" per year compared to 56.2" in Alabaster.
Income & Cost
Housing
Salary Equivalency Calculator
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)