Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% lower compared to Phenix City.
| Metric | Birmingham | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,181 | $1,174 | +1% |
| Groceries | $440 | $350 | +26% |
| Utilities | $275 | $180 | +53% |
| Transport | $120 | $360 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,166 | $2,314 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Birmingham offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Birmingham is estimated at
$63,000 vs $50,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Birmingham | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,531 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $63,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,034 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $50,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Birmingham is the larger city
— approximately 5.1x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Phenix City 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 | Birmingham | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,033 | 38,282 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
The cost of living in Birmingham is approximately 10% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with the average rent at $1,181 per month as of July 2026.
Birmingham is a major healthcare hub with several highly-ranked hospitals, including UAB Hospital.
The city's economy is diversifying with notable growth in technology and financial occupations.
The unemployment rate in Birmingham was 3.2% in April 2026, which is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Birmingham has a high crime rate, with a crime index of 61.14 and a homicide rate significantly above the national average in 2024.
The city's population has been experiencing a slight annual decline.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, indicating high car dependency.
Job growth in Birmingham has been below the U.S. average in recent years.
Utility costs in Birmingham are slightly higher than the national average.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#65Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,181
Avg Salary
$58,531
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
68
Business
65
Phenix City
#97Alabama, 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
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