Performance
Score Breakdown
Opelika
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opelika is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Homewood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Opelika's average rent is
13% higher than Homewood's.
| Metric | Opelika | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,596 | +13% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,200 | $2,626 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Opelika is estimated at
$49,392 vs $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Opelika | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,490 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $49,392 | $40,000 |
| Household Income | $65,004 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Opelika | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Opelika.
Homewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Opelika | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Opelika is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Opelika | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,944 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 39.9 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.30% | 2.10% |
| 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.
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood boasts a significantly shorter average commute time of 17.1 minutes compared to the national average.
The median household income in Homewood was $94,485 in 2024, notably higher than the national average.
The city has a healthy job market with a 1.38% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Homewood offers a strong sense of community and access to highly-rated public schools.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital within the city and major medical centers nearby.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices in Homewood are higher than the national average, potentially impacting affordability for buyers.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work, and limited public transit options.
Summers in Homewood are long, hot, and muggy, which may be a drawback for some.
While generally safe, there have been reports of attempted car theft and homelessness in the area.
The median age of 29 is lower than the national average, which might not appeal to those seeking a more established, older demographic.
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
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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