Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Huntsville's average rent is
107% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Huntsville | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $700 | +107% |
| Groceries | $510 | $300 | +70% |
| Utilities | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Transport | $180 | $500 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $420 | $1,000 | -58% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,650 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 60% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $38,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Huntsville | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $43,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 51,190 idx |
| Household Income | $68,900 | $43,000 |
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 | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Huntsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Phenix City.
Huntsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phenix City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Huntsville | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 43.2/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.5/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 225,564 | 38,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $38.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
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.
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
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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