Fort Payne, AL vs Phenix City, AL

Fort Payne is moderately more affordable than Phenix City, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Fort Payne scores 65 compared to 72 for Phenix City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Phenix City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Payne is $670/month compared to $926/month in Phenix City — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Payne is more affordable at $158,100 median vs $160,000.

Median household income in Fort Payne is $48,623 compared to $49,715 in Phenix City (-2.2%). Phenix City does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Payne spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.4% in Phenix City.

Climate-wise, Phenix City is notably warmer with an average of 66.6°F compared to 58.8°F in Fort Payne. Fort Payne receives more rainfall at 56.2" per year compared to 48.8" in Phenix City.