Performance
Score Breakdown
Hoover
Opelika
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opelika is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% higher compared to Hoover.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hoover's average rent is
13% lower than Opelika's.
| Metric | Hoover | Opelika | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,570 | $1,800 | -13% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,200 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 28% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hoover is estimated at
$60,000 vs $49,392 in Opelika.
| Metric | Hoover | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,405 | $53,490 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $49,392 |
| Household Income | $109,253 | $65,004 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hoover | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Hoover scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hoover leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hoover | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 17.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hoover is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Opelika.
From a growth perspective, Hoover is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hoover has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hoover | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,013 | 33,944 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hoover
Advantages
Hoover boasts a low unemployment rate of 2% as of 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The median household income in Hoover was $109,253 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Crime rates are notably low, with violent crime at 4.5 per 1,000 residents, contributing to a safe community environment.
The city offers excellent access to high-quality healthcare facilities in the nearby Birmingham metropolitan area.
Hoover has a high homeownership rate of 71.1% as of 2024, reflecting a stable housing market.
Drawbacks
Hoover is a car-dependent city with limited public transportation options, requiring most errands to be done by car.
The overall cost of living in Hoover is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 105.9.
Average rent prices, while more affordable than some major U.S. cities, are still above the state average.
Summers in Hoover are long, hot, and muggy, with average highs in the mid-to-high 90s in July.
The city experiences high annual precipitation, averaging around 58 inches.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hoover
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,570
Avg Salary
$68,405
Cost Index
106
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
77
Business
72
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
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