Performance
Score Breakdown
Hoover
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
43% higher compared to Hoover.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hoover's average rent is
85% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,175 | $1,174 | +85% |
| Groceries | $590 | $350 | +69% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $360 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $2,314 | +43% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 43% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hoover delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hoover is estimated at
$55,000 vs $50,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,617 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,726 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $109,253 | $50,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hoover | 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 0 minutes of each other.
Phenix City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phenix City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 15.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hoover is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Phenix City.
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 | Hoover | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,700 | 38,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.62% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 2.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hoover
Advantages
Hoover boasts a significantly lower unemployment rate (2.9% in 2023) compared to the national average, indicating a strong job market.
The median household income in Hoover ($109,253 in 2024) is substantially higher than both the state and national averages.
Hoover's cost of living is estimated to be 15% less expensive than the national average as of June 2026, offering good affordability.
The city is known for its top-rated public school system, ranking among the highest in Alabama.
Hoover offers extensive outdoor recreational opportunities, including 25 public parks and access to the Cahaba River.
Drawbacks
Hoover is a car-dependent city, with limited public transportation options and a low walkability score.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Hoover are higher than the average for other cities within Alabama.
Specific monthly utility costs are not consistently reported and can be slightly above those in smaller Alabama towns.
The average monthly grocery cost in Hoover is higher than the national average.
Healthcare costs in Hoover 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.
Hoover
#5Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,175
Avg Salary
$68,617
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
15.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
80
Business
75
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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