Performance
Score Breakdown
Phenix City
Prattville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prattville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Phenix City.
| Metric | Phenix City | Prattville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,174 | $1,200 | -2% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $360 | $120 | +200% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,314 | $2,200 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Phenix City offers 17% 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 Phenix City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $55,000 in Prattville.
| Metric | Phenix City | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $40,909 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 45,454 idx |
| Household Income | $50,053 | $81,337 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phenix City | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 71.00% |
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, Phenix City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Phenix City | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 24.0/10 | 18.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Prattville is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Prattville 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 | Phenix City | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,282 | 41,046 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 1.44% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Prattville
Advantages
The cost of living in Prattville is below the national average, particularly for housing, making it an affordable place to live.
Prattville boasts a high homeownership rate of 67.4% as of 2024, exceeding the national average.
The city has a strong sense of community and is considered family-friendly, with a higher percentage of households with children.
The average commute time of 23.9 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for workers.
Prattville's violent crime rate of 226.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is below the national average.
Drawbacks
Prattville is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 18 and limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a decline in employment by -2.48% from 2023 to 2024, indicating challenges in job growth.
Despite a lower violent crime rate, the overall crime rate in Prattville is considered higher than the national average when compared to communities of similar size.
Amenities in Prattville received a low grade (D) in one livability assessment, suggesting fewer entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Summers in Prattville can be hot and uncomfortably humid, with average humidity levels around 71-73%.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Prattville
#49Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$40,909
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.44%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Phenix City and Prattville.
Open Cost Calculator