Performance
Score Breakdown
Opelika
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opelika is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Opelika's average rent is
20% higher than Northport's.
| Metric | Opelika | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,500 | +20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $423 | -5% |
| Utilities | $0 | $158 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $385 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $263 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,200 | $2,729 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Opelika offers 22% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Opelika is estimated at
$49,392 vs $40,836 in Northport.
| Metric | Opelika | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,490 | $43,761 |
| Salary Needed | $49,392 | $40,836 |
| Household Income | $65,004 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Opelika | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Northport scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Northport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Opelika | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Opelika is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Opelika | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,944 | 33,797 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 4.10% |
| Median Age | 39.9 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.30% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 2% lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being 23.8% lower.
Northport is known for being a safe place to live, contributing to peace of mind for residents.
The city boasts a livability score of 76 out of 100, ranking well for amenities, cost of living, and housing.
The median household income in Northport was $80,913 in 2024, reflecting a 4.03% one-year growth.
The average home value increased by 2.3% over the past year to $268,786 as of April 2026.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options within Northport are very limited, making the city largely car-dependent.
The average Walk Score for Northport is 27, indicating that most errands require a car.
While the overall cost of living is lower, food expenses are slightly above the national average.
Job growth rate data for Northport specifically is not readily available, with some data indicating a slight decline in employed population in 2024.
Summers in Northport are long, hot, and muggy, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Northport
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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