Bessemer, AL vs Decatur, AL

Bessemer, AL and Decatur, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Bessemer scores 71 while Decatur scores 73 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 Bessemer is $922/month compared to $861/month in Decatur — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Decatur has cheaper rent, Bessemer actually has lower median home values ($129,800 vs $190,500).

Median household income in Bessemer is $37,844 compared to $59,831 in Decatur (-36.7%). While Decatur is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bessemer spend roughly 29.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Decatur.

Climate-wise, Bessemer is notably warmer with an average of 64.4°F compared to 61.4°F in Decatur. Bessemer receives more rainfall at 56.2" per year compared to 49.5" in Decatur.