Auburn, AL vs Homewood, AL
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Auburn is 23.3% cheaper than Homewood. With a cost index of 90 vs 117, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Auburn to Homewood should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,034/month compared to $1,457/month in Homewood — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Auburn is more affordable at $342,400 median vs $502,300.
Median household income in Auburn is $56,123 compared to $108,386 in Homewood (-48.2%). While Homewood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.1% in Homewood.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.6°F vs 63.9°F). Homewood receives more rainfall at 56.6" per year compared to 48.8" in Auburn.
Income & Cost
Housing
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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)