MoveMap

Moving to Decatur

What you need to know before relocating to Decatur, Alabama. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Decatur a Good Place to Live?

Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, Decatur compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include rent ($854/mo) is below the national average; home prices ($213,500) are well below the us median; low unemployment rate (2.1%) signals a strong job market.

Decatur at a Glance

Population
159K
Median Income
$72,956
Median Rent
$854/mo
Median Home Price
$213,500
Unemployment
2.1%
Avg Commute
68384 min

Cost of Living in Decatur

The median rent in Decatur is $854/month, while the median home value is $213,500. With a median household income of $72,956, residents spend roughly 14% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Decatur metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
39% below
Home Price vs. National Avg
30% below

Job Market

Decatur has a median household income of $72,956, which is 2% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Decatur

The violent crime rate in Decatur is 404 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% above the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 1699 per 100,000 residents.

Education in Alabama

Alabama has a high school graduation rate of 89% and per-pupil spending of $13,461/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.

30% of Alabama adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

Alabama has 224 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 9.2% uninsured rate, and 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Alabama is 74.8 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Decatur

+Pros

  • Rent ($854/mo) is below the national average
  • Home prices ($213,500) are well below the US median
  • Low unemployment rate (2.1%) signals a strong job market

-Cons

  • Longer-than-average commute (68384 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Decatur a good place to live?

Decatur, Alabama has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including rent ($854/mo) is below the national average and home prices ($213,500) are well below the us median. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.

What is the cost of living in Decatur?

The median rent in Decatur is $854/month and the median home value is $213,500. The median household income is $72,956. Overall the metro is considered affordable.

Is Decatur safe?

Decatur has a violent crime rate of 404 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Decatur?

Decatur has an unemployment rate of 2.1%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $72,956.

Explore More About Decatur