Opelika, AL vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Opelika
66.9
#1489 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Opelika leads in median household income ($55,218 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 20.8 min). Ruston leads in walk score (25 vs 18).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Opelika, AL | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.9 (#1489) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 33,572 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $310,676 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $55,218 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 15.3 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+27.8 | R+25.4 |
D
66.9 Score
Opelika, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$310,676
Population
33,572
Crime
High
Walk Score
18
Southeast
View Opelika, AL →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →