Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Opelika
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opelika is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Huntsville's average rent is
15% lower than Opelika's.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,522 | $1,800 | -15% |
| Groceries | $701 | $450 | +56% |
| Utilities | $337 | $180 | +87% |
| Transport | $349 | $300 | +16% |
| Healthcare | $137 | $200 | -32% |
| Monthly Total | $3,046 | $2,930 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $72,000 in Opelika.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $47,102 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 51,198 idx |
| Household Income | $74,714 | $65,004 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Opelika scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 6.9x the population of Opelika.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 234,859 | 33,944 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.70% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.30% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Huntsville was ranked the nation's most financially resilient city in 2026, indicating strong economic stability.
The city consistently boasts shorter commute times compared to larger metropolitan areas, with most residents reporting 15-20 minute commutes.
Huntsville ranked 17th out of 200 cities for overall driving safety in 2026, with drivers averaging over 12 years between collisions.
The average cost of assisted living in Huntsville is lower than both the state and national averages.
Huntsville climbed to the No. 2 position in the Milken Institute's 2026 Best-Performing Cities Index, highlighting its economic strength.
Drawbacks
Huntsville's overall crime rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Violent crimes in Huntsville are 35% higher than the national average.
Huntsville drivers rank among the worst in the nation for speeding, according to a 2026 report.
The city is considered less safe than the Alabama state average and the national average in terms of crime rate.
While overall utilities are lower, grocery prices in Huntsville are slightly higher than the national average.
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.
Huntsville
#9Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
Opelika
#16Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$47,102
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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