Performance
Score Breakdown
Gadsden
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% lower compared to Phenix City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gadsden's average rent is
29% lower than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Gadsden | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $839 | $1,174 | -29% |
| Groceries | $589 | $350 | +68% |
| Utilities | $271 | $180 | +51% |
| Transport | $400 | $360 | +11% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,249 | $2,314 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gadsden offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gadsden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gadsden is estimated at
$29,004 vs $50,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Gadsden | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,742 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $29,004 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,579 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $40,345 | $50,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gadsden | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Phenix City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Gadsden.
Phenix City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gadsden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gadsden | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 25.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phenix City is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Phenix City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phenix City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gadsden | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,219 | 38,282 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gadsden
Advantages
The cost of living in Gadsden is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with median home values at $167,100 in 2024 and average 1-bedroom rent at $796 in July 2026.
Gadsden boasts natural attractions like Noccalula Falls Park and access to the Coosa River, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Recent major investments, such as Minth Group Limited's $430 million project, are creating over 1,300 new jobs in the automotive manufacturing sector.
Healthcare costs in Gadsden are approximately 23.4% to 24% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Gadsden's population is projected to decline by -0.44% annually in 2026.
The city has a higher crime rate, with overall crime 49% above the national average and violent crime 62% higher.
Gadsden is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 25 and limited public transit options.
The median household income of $40,345 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Utilities, particularly energy bills, are reported to be higher than the national average.
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.
Gadsden
#95Alabama, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$839
Avg Salary
$55,742
Cost Index
85
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
59
Business
60
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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