City Comparison
Bessemer vs Opelika
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
Alabama, USA
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VS
Opelika scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bessemer
Opelika
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Bessemer | Opelika | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,800 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $300 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,930 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Opelika offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Bessemer | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $47,102 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $72,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bessemer | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bessemer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Opelika.
Opelika scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Bessemer | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | — |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Opelika is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Opelika is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bessemer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bessemer | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 33,944 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 39.9 | |
| Unemployment | % | 2.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bessemer
Opelika
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Opelika is 8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with the median home price at $330,000 as of May 2026.
The average commute time is 22.1 minutes, which is shorter than the national average, contributing to a more relaxed daily life.
East Alabama Medical Center provides comprehensive and award-winning healthcare services, ensuring good access to quality medical care.
Opelika has a low unemployment rate of 2.3% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Drawbacks
Opelika is a car-dependent city with a walkability score of 0, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
Public transportation options are limited, primarily consisting of on-demand services, which may not suit all residents.
Some sources indicate elevated crime rates, particularly property crime, which can be a concern for residents.
Utility costs can be slightly higher than the national average, impacting monthly budgets.
Despite a growing population, the employed population saw a slight decline in 2024, suggesting potential challenges in job growth in some sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bessemer
Alabama, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
Opelika
#454Alabama, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$47,102
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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