Jasper, AL vs Opelika, AL
Jasper is moderately more affordable than Opelika, with a 7.6% lower cost of living index. Jasper scores 71 compared to 77 for Opelika, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Opelika can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Jasper is $722/month compared to $947/month in Opelika — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jasper is more affordable at $208,000 median vs $213,700.
Median household income in Jasper is $66,250 compared to $58,763 in Opelika (+12.7%). Jasper offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Jasper spend roughly 13.1% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in Opelika.
Climate-wise, Opelika is notably warmer with an average of 66.6°F compared to 59.9°F in Jasper. Jasper receives more rainfall at 58.7" per year compared to 48.8" in Opelika.
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Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)