Performance
Score Breakdown
Phenix City
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% lower compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Phenix City's average rent is
65% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $700 | $1,995 | -65% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $150 | $180 | -17% |
| Transport | $500 | $120 | +317% |
| Healthcare | $1,000 | $250 | +300% |
| Monthly Total | $2,650 | $2,995 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 115 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 36% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Vestavia Hills delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Phenix City is estimated at
$38,000 vs $52,560 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,000 | $66,812 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $52,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,190 idx | 58,097 idx |
| Household Income | $43,000 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 64.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vestavia Hills has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Phenix City.
For walkability, Phenix City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vestavia Hills is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Phenix City | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,000 | 40,556 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 1.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a crime rate 51% below the national average as of 2026, making it a very safe community.
The city's public schools are highly rated, contributing to its reputation as an excellent place for families.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Residents enjoy a high quality of life, with a livability score of 83/100, placing it in the 97th percentile of cities.
The average commute time of 19.3 minutes is shorter than the national average, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is notably higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Walkability in Vestavia Hills is low, with a walk score of 0/100, indicating high car dependency.
Public transportation options are limited, requiring most residents to rely on personal vehicles for commuting and daily errands.
While overall crime is low, the robbery rate in Vestavia Hills is 28% above the national average as of 2026.
The city's amenities score is rated 'F' by one source, suggesting potential limitations in certain recreational or service offerings.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Vestavia Hills
#7Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$66,812
Cost Index
115
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
83
Business
75
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