City Comparison
Montgomery vs Opelika
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Opelika scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Opelika
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montgomery is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Opelika.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montgomery's average rent is
18% lower than Opelika's.
| Metric | Montgomery | Opelika | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,485 | $1,800 | -18% |
| Groceries | $365 | $450 | -19% |
| Utilities | $215 | $180 | +19% |
| Transport | $150 | $300 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,465 | $2,930 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Opelika offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Opelika delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montgomery is estimated at
$55,000 vs $72,000 in Opelika.
| Metric | Montgomery | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,571 | $47,102 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,967 idx | 51,198 idx |
| Household Income | $56,811 | $65,004 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montgomery | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Montgomery scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montgomery leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montgomery | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
— approximately 5.8x the population of Opelika.
From a growth perspective, Opelika is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Opelika has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Opelika |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,494 | 33,944 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montgomery
Advantages
The cost of living in Montgomery is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Montgomery ranked #1 in Alabama for Capital Investment in New Projects in 2024, indicating a strong business environment.
The median home sale price of $205,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, offering accessible homeownership.
The city offers diverse public transportation options, including fixed-route buses and on-demand micro-transit services.
Major hospitals like Baptist Medical Center East and South have received awards for specialized care, indicating quality healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Montgomery's crime rates are 47% higher than the Alabama average, posing a concern for residents.
The city has a low Walk Score of 26 and a Transit Score of 22, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
The median household income of $56,811 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Utilities in Montgomery are about 10% pricier than the U.S. average.
The city's population experienced a slight decline of -0.5% year-over-year in 2024.
Opelika
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Opelika is 8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with the median home price at $330,000 as of May 2026.
The average commute time is 22.1 minutes, which is shorter than the national average, contributing to a more relaxed daily life.
East Alabama Medical Center provides comprehensive and award-winning healthcare services, ensuring good access to quality medical care.
Opelika has a low unemployment rate of 2.3% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Drawbacks
Opelika is a car-dependent city with a walkability score of 0, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
Public transportation options are limited, primarily consisting of on-demand services, which may not suit all residents.
Some sources indicate elevated crime rates, particularly property crime, which can be a concern for residents.
Utility costs can be slightly higher than the national average, impacting monthly budgets.
Despite a growing population, the employed population saw a slight decline in 2024, suggesting potential challenges in job growth in some sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montgomery
#488Alabama, USA
53.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,485
Avg Salary
$35,571
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
65
Business
75
Opelika
#454Alabama, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$47,102
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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