City Comparison
Enterprise vs Phenix City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Enterprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Enterprise
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Enterprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Enterprise's average rent is
17% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Enterprise | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,375 | $1,174 | +17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $350 | +14% |
| Utilities | $200 | $180 | +11% |
| Transport | $375 | $360 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $256 | $250 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,606 | $2,314 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Phenix City offers 27% 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 Enterprise is estimated at
$24,300 vs $50,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Enterprise | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,809 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,300 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,641 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $73,125 | $50,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Enterprise | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Phenix City 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 | Enterprise | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phenix City is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Enterprise.
From a growth perspective, Phenix City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phenix City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Enterprise | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,231 | 38,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Enterprise
Advantages
The cost of living in Enterprise is 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Enterprise's housing market is strong, with an A+ rating for housing affordability and robust appreciation rates.
The Enterprise-Ozark Micropolitan area was ranked as the strongest economy in Alabama and 28th strongest nationally.
Medical Center Enterprise received an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade in Spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare services.
The average commute time of 20.1 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
Enterprise's total crime rate is 42% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 74% higher.
The city has limited public transportation options, leading to high car dependency for residents.
Some residents feel the city is having difficulty keeping up with the demand for new public schools and retail outlets despite its growth.
The safety score for Enterprise is relatively low at 19/100.
Amenities are rated poorly in Enterprise, potentially requiring residents to travel for certain services or entertainment.
Phenix City
Advantages
The cost of living in Phenix City is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are notably lower, with a median home sale price of $227,000 in May 2026, and average rent around $1,174 per month.
The city offers free fixed-route bus services through Phenix City Express, providing accessible public transportation within city limits and to Columbus, GA.
New manufacturing investments, such as Sierra Pacific Industries, are creating hundreds of jobs and contributing to economic growth.
Phenix City provides access to a larger metropolitan area (Columbus, GA) for expanded job opportunities, healthcare, and entertainment.
Drawbacks
Phenix City has a high crime rate, with a total crime rate 100% higher than the national average, impacting overall safety.
The city's walkability score is low (24/100), indicating a high reliance on personal vehicles for daily activities.
Employment experienced a decline of -3.15% from 2023 to 2024, suggesting a challenging job market despite new investments.
The poverty rate in Phenix City is high at 24.5% as of 2024.
Traffic congestion in the Columbus-Phenix City area leads to an average of 26 hours of delay per auto commuter annually.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Enterprise
#527Alabama, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,375
Avg Salary
$34,809
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.57%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
65
Business
75
Phenix City
#587Alabama, USA
44.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,174
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
24.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
65
Business
58
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