| Index | Opelika | Alabama | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 84 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 93 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Opelika allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Opelika stands at 92, marking it 8% lower than the national average.
In Opelika, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Opelika will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Opelika an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Opelika, the median home price is 13.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 21.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Opelika come in at $75,956, which is 6.6% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Opelika, the housing index is 16.2% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Opelika, the transportation index is 1.9% lower than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Opelika, the groceries index is 4.4% lower than the national average.
The Opelika cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $99,794 | $8,316 | $2,328 | $2,994 |
| Renters | $41,252 | $3,438 | $962 | $1,238 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Alabama | 4% | 13.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Alabama | 2% | 5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lanett, AL | 6,388 | 86 | 14.2% |
| Huguley, AL | 2,886 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Valley, AL | 9,429 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Cusseta, AL | 102 | 89 | 11.4% |
| West Point, GA | 3,956 | 93 | 6.7% |
| Opelika, AL | 31,335 | 92 | 7.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 31,333 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Grimsby, ON | 31,320 | n/a | |
| Lawrenceville, GA | 31,316 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Gloucester, MA | 31,315 | 139 | 39.0% |
| Eldersburg, MD | 31,301 | 134 | 33.5% |
| Opelika, AL | 31,335 | 92 | 7.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Alabama
See the best places to live in Opelika
Check out the 10 safest cities in Alabama
Most Dangerous Cities In The US