Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% higher compared to Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
151% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Madison | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,760 | $700 | +151% |
| Groceries | $550 | $300 | +83% |
| Utilities | $245 | $150 | +63% |
| Transport | $195 | $500 | -61% |
| Healthcare | $440 | $1,000 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $3,190 | $2,650 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 108% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$73,000 vs $38,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Madison | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,500 | $43,000 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 86,893 idx | 51,190 idx |
| Household Income | $89,100 | $43,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 62.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 64.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,000 | 38,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $9.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
High incomes and safety
Drawbacks
Housing costs rising
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.
Madison
#1Alabama, USA
91.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,760
Avg Salary
$89,500
Cost Index
103
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
92
Business
89
Phenix City
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$43,000
Cost Index
84
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
65
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