Performance
Score Breakdown
Hoover
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hoover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Phenix City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hoover's average rent is
124% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,570 | $700 | +124% |
| Groceries | $450 | $300 | +50% |
| Utilities | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Transport | $150 | $500 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $1,000 | -75% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,650 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 59% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hoover delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hoover is estimated at
$60,000 vs $38,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,405 | $43,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,533 idx | 51,190 idx |
| Household Income | $109,253 | $43,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hoover has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Phenix City.
For walkability, Phenix City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 17.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hoover is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Hoover is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hoover has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hoover | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,013 | 38,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hoover
Advantages
Hoover boasts a low unemployment rate of 2% as of 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The median household income in Hoover was $109,253 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Crime rates are notably low, with violent crime at 4.5 per 1,000 residents, contributing to a safe community environment.
The city offers excellent access to high-quality healthcare facilities in the nearby Birmingham metropolitan area.
Hoover has a high homeownership rate of 71.1% as of 2024, reflecting a stable housing market.
Drawbacks
Hoover is a car-dependent city with limited public transportation options, requiring most errands to be done by car.
The overall cost of living in Hoover is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 105.9.
Average rent prices, while more affordable than some major U.S. cities, are still above the state average.
Summers in Hoover are long, hot, and muggy, with average highs in the mid-to-high 90s in July.
The city experiences high annual precipitation, averaging around 58 inches.
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.
Hoover
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,570
Avg Salary
$68,405
Cost Index
106
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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