Performance
Score Breakdown
Phenix City
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Phenix City's average rent is
41% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,174 | $1,975 | -41% |
| Groceries | $350 | $425 | -18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $360 | $150 | +140% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $120 | +108% |
| Monthly Total | $2,314 | $2,850 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 29% 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 Phenix City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $50,053 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vestavia Hills has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Phenix City.
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 | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 24.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vestavia Hills is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,282 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.60% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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