Decatur, AL vs Pelham, AL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Decatur is 29% cheaper than Pelham. With a cost index of 73 vs 103, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Decatur to Pelham should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Decatur is $861/month compared to $1,573/month in Pelham — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $190,500 median vs $278,900.

Median household income in Decatur is $59,831 compared to $91,904 in Pelham (-34.9%). While Pelham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Pelham.

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