Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Opelika
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opelika is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% higher compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Huntsville's average rent is
19% lower than Opelika's.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,800 | -19% |
| Groceries | $510 | $400 | +28% |
| Utilities | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $420 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,200 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 29% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $49,392 in Opelika.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $53,490 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $49,392 |
| Household Income | $68,900 | $65,004 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Huntsville runs warmer on average — a 62.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Huntsville comes out ahead with 213 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Huntsville sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 213 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Huntsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Huntsville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 43.2/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.5/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 6.6x the population of Opelika.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Opelika has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 225,564 | 33,944 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $38.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
Opelika
Advantages
Opelika's unemployment rate of 2.30% in April 2026 is significantly lower than the national average, indicating a strong job market.
The median rent in Opelika is $1,800 per month as of May 2026, which is 8% below the national average, making it a more affordable place to live.
Opelika's population is projected to grow by 1.7% annually, indicating positive growth momentum.
East Alabama Medical Center, located in Opelika, is a highly-rated hospital offering comprehensive healthcare services and recognized for its quality.
The average sales price of homes in Opelika increased by 6% from 2023 to 2024, suggesting a healthy real estate market.
Drawbacks
Opelika experienced a minor decline in new housing listings in 2024 compared to the previous year, potentially limiting housing options.
Homes in Opelika spent an average of 66 days on the market in 2024, a 24.5% rise compared to 2023, indicating a slower selling process.
The humidity in Opelika can be uncomfortably high during the summer months from June to August.
The poverty rate in Opelika stands at 16.02%, slightly above national averages.
While improving, the average salary in the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area is lower than the nationwide average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Huntsville
#2Alabama, USA
86.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
43.2/10
Walkability
39.5/10
Sunny Days
213/yr
Avg Temp
62.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
85
Business
90
Opelika
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$53,490
Cost Index
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
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