Auburn-Opelika and Spartanburg receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Auburn-Opelika | Spartanburg | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,825 | 374,737 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $63,649 | $64,382 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,042 | $33,580 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 164/sq mi | 283/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $247,500 | $225,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,026 | $1,057 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.9% | 72.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.1% | 3.0% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 40.4% | 24.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 19.4% | 15.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2,452 | 4,460 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 12.3 | 11.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 39.3% | 14.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 93°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 32°F | 32°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 52 mi | 31 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.1 min | 26.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.1 | 38.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Auburn-Opelika
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Spartanburg
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, cold wave, earthquake.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Auburn-Opelika, AL Metro Area · Spartanburg, SC Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology