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
32% lower compared to Phenix City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
159% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $700 | +159% |
| Groceries | $0 | $300 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $500 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $1,000 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,650 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Birmingham offers 41% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
| Metric | Birmingham | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,834 | $43,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,130 idx | 51,190 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $43,000 |
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% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Birmingham has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Phenix City.
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 | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 85.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Birmingham is the larger city
— approximately 5.2x 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, Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Birmingham | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,357 | 38,000 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
Birmingham boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average.
The city has a robust and diversifying job market, particularly in healthcare, finance, and technology.
Birmingham offers a nationally recognized culinary scene with numerous acclaimed restaurants.
The median home value in Birmingham is considerably lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Birmingham has a high walkability score, indicating many pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Birmingham's crime rates are significantly higher than the Alabama average.
The median rent in Birmingham is 56% above the national median.
Public transportation usage is low, with most residents relying on personal vehicles.
Assisted living expenses in Birmingham are exceptionally high compared to state and national averages.
The city has experienced a population decrease in recent decades.
Phenix City
Advantages
Affordable housing options
Low cost of living
Growing economy
Rich history and culture
Outdoor recreational opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher crime rate
Limited public transportation options
Aging housing stock
Limited job opportunities in certain industries
Summer heat and humidity
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#30Alabama, USA
71.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$60,834
Cost Index
88
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
85.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
67
Business
0
Phenix City
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$43,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
65
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