Paris receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Paris
Phenix City
Opportunity
47 · Bottom 31%
vs40 · Bottom 18%
Growth
48 · Bottom 46%
vs36 · Bottom 25%
Climate
75 · Top 29%
vs72 · Top 43%
Physical resilience
61 · Top 48%
vs52 · Bottom 45%
Housing affordability
78 · Bottom 45%
vs84 · Top 45%
Access
43 · Bottom 2%
vs52 · Bottom 4%
Economic stability
23 · Bottom 3%
vs33 · Bottom 10%
Measured values
| Metric | Paris | Phenix City | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,338 | 38,499 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $41,012 | $50,053 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $27,414 | $29,513 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 801/sq mi | 1,372/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $163,600 | $170,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $780 | $967 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 56.8% | 52.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.3% | -1.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 23.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 26.3% | 24.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 16 | 69 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -15.8% | -2.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 93°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 27°F | 38°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 48.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 92 mi | 80 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.5 min | 24.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.5 | 35.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 5 | 17 | 2024-25 school 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
Paris
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Phenix City
Elevated or high exposure: drought.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Paris
56
Your Score
59
Area Score
Phenix City
53
Your Score
53
Area Score
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Full profiles: Paris, TN · Phenix City, AL · How this is calculated: methodology