City Comparison
Alabaster vs Opelika
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alabaster scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Opelika
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Alabaster | Opelika | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,800 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $300 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,930 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Opelika offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Alabaster | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $47,102 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $72,000 |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $65,004 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Opelika has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Opelika scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Alabaster leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 10.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alabaster is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Opelika 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 | Alabaster | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,014 | 33,944 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.77% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 39.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alabaster
Advantages
Alabaster boasts exceptionally low violent crime rates, significantly below the national average, contributing to a strong sense of safety.
The overall cost of living in Alabaster is lower than the national average.
The median household income in Alabaster ($91,357 in 2024) is higher than both the state and national averages.
Alabaster's public schools are highly rated, making it an attractive place for families.
The city has a thriving and diverse economy with a 2.5% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
Alabaster has a low walkability score, meaning most errands require a car.
Public transportation is not readily available in Alabaster.
The average commute time of 30-32 minutes is longer than the national average.
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance.
Limited nightlife and dining options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Opelika
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Opelika is 8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with the median home price at $330,000 as of May 2026.
The average commute time is 22.1 minutes, which is shorter than the national average, contributing to a more relaxed daily life.
East Alabama Medical Center provides comprehensive and award-winning healthcare services, ensuring good access to quality medical care.
Opelika has a low unemployment rate of 2.3% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Drawbacks
Opelika is a car-dependent city with a walkability score of 0, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
Public transportation options are limited, primarily consisting of on-demand services, which may not suit all residents.
Some sources indicate elevated crime rates, particularly property crime, which can be a concern for residents.
Utility costs can be slightly higher than the national average, impacting monthly budgets.
Despite a growing population, the employed population saw a slight decline in 2024, suggesting potential challenges in job growth in some sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alabaster
#8Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
10.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.77%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
75
Business
0
Opelika
#454Alabama, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$47,102
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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