Performance
Score Breakdown
Vestavia Hills
West Linn
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vestavia Hills is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to West Linn.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vestavia Hills's average rent is
14% lower than West Linn's.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | West Linn | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,975 | $2,300 | -14% |
| Groceries | $425 | $450 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $181 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $2,850 | $3,301 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 44% higher 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 Vestavia Hills is estimated at
$62,960 vs $66,840 in West Linn.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | West Linn |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,012 | $47,242 |
| Salary Needed | $62,960 | $66,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,848 idx | 34,994 idx |
| Household Income | $134,369 | $146,507 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | West Linn |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vestavia Hills has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to West Linn.
West Linn scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Linn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vestavia Hills | West Linn |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 34.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vestavia Hills is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of West Linn.
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 | Vestavia Hills | West Linn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,616 | 27,601 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.48% | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 43.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
West Linn
Advantages
Consistently ranked as the safest city in Oregon, with very low violent and property crime rates [12, 14].
Exceptional quality of life driven by natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation, and a peaceful suburban environment [4].
Highly-rated public schools contribute to a family-friendly atmosphere and strong community appeal [41].
High median household income and a strong job market, supported by a well-educated population [3, 5, 9].
Convenient proximity to Portland offers access to major employment centers and urban amenities while maintaining a distinct small-town charm [4].
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly for housing and transportation, makes it one of the more expensive cities in Oregon [33, 37, 39].
Car dependency is high, with limited public transportation options and low walkability scores, requiring most residents to own vehicles [6, 7].
Limited development potential due to geographic restrictions may constrain future growth and housing diversity [15].
While major hospitals are nearby, there are no full-service hospitals located directly within West Linn city limits [19, 22].
Oregon's state income tax rates are among the highest in the country, adding to the overall cost for residents [39].
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
West Linn
#3Oregon, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,300
Avg Salary
$47,242
Cost Index
135
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
85
Business
70
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