City Comparison
Opelika vs Vestavia Hills
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Vestavia Hills scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Opelika
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vestavia Hills is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Opelika.
| Metric | Opelika | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,975 | -9% |
| Groceries | $450 | $425 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $300 | $150 | +100% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $120 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,930 | $2,850 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Vestavia Hills delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Opelika is estimated at
$72,000 vs $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Opelika | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,102 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,198 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $65,004 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Opelika | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vestavia Hills has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Opelika.
For walkability, Vestavia Hills leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Opelika | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vestavia Hills is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Opelika.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Opelika has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Opelika | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,944 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 39.9 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 2.30% | 2.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a top-rated public school system, consistently ranked among the best in Alabama.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant recreational parks, green spaces, and community events.
Vestavia Hills is considered a very safe community with a high safety score and low violent crime rates.
Residents benefit from a relatively short average commute time of 19.3 minutes.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is 24% higher than the national average, primarily due to high housing costs.
Housing costs, including both renting and buying, are approximately 90% higher than the national average.
The city is largely car-dependent with low walkability (score of 22) and minimal public transit options.
Employment in Vestavia Hills experienced a decline of -1.89% from 2023 to 2024.
Natural gas prices in Vestavia Hills averaged $23.38 per thousand cubic feet in November 2024, which was approximately 56.6% more than the U.S. average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Opelika
#84Alabama, USA
57.6 / 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
Vestavia Hills
#34Alabama, USA
65.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$68,012
Cost Index
124
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.48%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
88
Business
75
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