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
#64Alabama, 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
Vestavia Hills
#3Alabama, USA
80.0 / 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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