Performance
Score Breakdown
Opelika
Prattville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opelika is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% lower compared to Prattville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Opelika's average rent is
28% higher than Prattville's.
| Metric | Opelika | Prattville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,407 | +28% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,200 | $2,357 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Opelika offers 4% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Opelika is estimated at
$49,392 vs $56,280 in Prattville.
| Metric | Opelika | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,490 | $51,379 |
| Salary Needed | $49,392 | $56,280 |
| Household Income | $65,004 | $81,337 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Opelika | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Opelika has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Prattville.
Prattville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Prattville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Opelika | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 18.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Prattville is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Opelika.
From a growth perspective, Prattville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prattville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Opelika | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,944 | 41,200 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 1.96% |
| Median Age | 39.9 | 36.9 |
| 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.
Prattville
Advantages
Cost of living is significantly lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
High livability score of 75 out of 100, ranking in the 88th percentile of U.S. cities.
Low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Highly rated public schools and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Access to quality healthcare services through Prattville Baptist Hospital, recognized for patient safety.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability (Walk Score 18) and minimal public transit options.
Average commute time of 27 minutes is slightly above the national average.
Limited amenities compared to larger metropolitan areas, receiving a 'D' rating in some assessments.
Some reports indicate a noticeable smell from a paper factory in town.
While growing, the community may have fewer events targeted at teens or young adults compared to larger cities.
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
Prattville
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,407
Avg Salary
$51,379
Cost Index
91
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Opelika and Prattville.
Open Cost Calculator