Performance
Score Breakdown
Decatur
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Decatur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% lower compared to Phenix City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Decatur's average rent is
36% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Decatur | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $953 | $700 | +36% |
| Groceries | $450 | $300 | +50% |
| Utilities | $387 | $150 | +158% |
| Transport | $120 | $500 | -76% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $1,000 | -75% |
| Monthly Total | $2,160 | $2,650 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Phenix City offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Phenix City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Decatur is estimated at
$59,000 vs $38,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Decatur | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,600 | $43,000 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,714 idx | 51,190 idx |
| Household Income | $61,563 | $43,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Decatur | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Decatur leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Decatur | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 59.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Decatur is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Phenix City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Decatur has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Decatur | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,291 | 38,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Decatur
Advantages
The cost of living in Decatur is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Decatur boasts a positive job growth rate of 2.4% over the past year, with major employers in manufacturing, retail, and construction.
The city offers a rich quality of life with abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Tennessee River and numerous cultural attractions.
Healthcare services are comprehensive and high-quality, provided by Decatur Morgan Hospital and its specialized campuses, including the only comprehensive cancer care program in Morgan County.
Decatur has seen a notable decline in overall crime, with violent crime decreasing by over 45% in early 2026 compared to the previous year.
Drawbacks
Despite recent improvements, Decatur's overall crime rate in 2024 was higher than 84% of communities in Alabama, and its violent crime rate was among the highest nationally.
The city is largely car-dependent, with daily life structured around road networks rather than a dense public transit system.
While the average individual salary is lower than the national GDP per capita, requiring a higher salary to live comfortably as a single adult.
Summers are hot and humid, with muggy conditions common from June to August, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Specific data for new business growth rate and traffic index are not readily available, making it harder to assess certain economic and transportation aspects.
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.
Decatur
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$953
Avg Salary
$42,600
Cost Index
84
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
59.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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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