Decatur, AL vs Oxford, AL

Decatur, AL and Oxford, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Decatur scores 73 while Oxford scores 70 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 Decatur is $861/month compared to $882/month in Oxford — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Decatur has cheaper rent, Oxford actually has lower median home values ($164,700 vs $190,500).

Median household income in Decatur is $59,831 compared to $70,065 in Oxford (-14.6%). Oxford offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.1% in Oxford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (61.4°F vs 63.1°F). Oxford receives more rainfall at 52.1" per year compared to 49.5" in Decatur.