Performance
Score Breakdown
Auburn
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% higher compared to Auburn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Auburn's average rent is
73% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Auburn | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,032 | $1,174 | +73% |
| Groceries | $350 | $350 | 0% |
| Utilities | $229 | $180 | +27% |
| Transport | $120 | $360 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $160 | $250 | -36% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $2,314 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Auburn offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Phenix City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Auburn is estimated at
$55,000 vs $50,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Auburn | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,096 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,225 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $63,668 | $50,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Auburn | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Phenix City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Auburn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Auburn | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Auburn is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Auburn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Auburn has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Auburn | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,918 | 38,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.20% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Auburn
Advantages
Auburn consistently ranks among the top places to live in the U.S., recognized for its high quality of life and welcoming community.
The city boasts a nationally ranked public school system, making it attractive for families. [cite: 13, 15 in previous search, 39]
Auburn's economy is strong and growing, ranking among the top 10 Best-Performing Small Cities in 2026.
The cost of living in Auburn is 4% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being particularly affordable.
Crime rates saw an overall decrease in 2024, with significant drops in violent, property, and non-violent crimes.
Drawbacks
Despite overall affordability, utility costs in Auburn are 6% higher than the national average, largely due to high energy consumption for cooling.
Auburn is primarily a car-dependent city with limited public transit options, reflected in its average Walk Score of 28.
While violent crime is low, NeighborhoodScout indicates that Auburn's property crime rate is above average compared to all communities in America. [cite: 26 in previous search]
The median age of 25.9 years, while vibrant, might indicate a younger demographic that may not appeal to all residents.
The state of Alabama's health system was ranked 42nd nationally in 2025, suggesting broader systemic challenges despite local hospital quality. [cite: 45 in previous search]
Phenix City
Advantages
The cost of living in Phenix City is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are notably lower, with a median home sale price of $227,000 in May 2026, and average rent around $1,174 per month.
The city offers free fixed-route bus services through Phenix City Express, providing accessible public transportation within city limits and to Columbus, GA.
New manufacturing investments, such as Sierra Pacific Industries, are creating hundreds of jobs and contributing to economic growth.
Phenix City provides access to a larger metropolitan area (Columbus, GA) for expanded job opportunities, healthcare, and entertainment.
Drawbacks
Phenix City has a high crime rate, with a total crime rate 100% higher than the national average, impacting overall safety.
The city's walkability score is low (24/100), indicating a high reliance on personal vehicles for daily activities.
Employment experienced a decline of -3.15% from 2023 to 2024, suggesting a challenging job market despite new investments.
The poverty rate in Phenix City is high at 24.5% as of 2024.
Traffic congestion in the Columbus-Phenix City area leads to an average of 26 hours of delay per auto commuter annually.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Auburn
#21Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,032
Avg Salary
$51,096
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.20%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
70
Phenix City
#91Alabama, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,174
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
24.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
65
Business
58
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