NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Auburn-Opelika, AL

Metro Market Score 35.6 (Moderate), ranked #27 of 378 metros. 589 establishments, 8,378 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 35.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages

Employment in Auburn-Opelika's retail trade sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 94.7. Combined with a 35.6 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
56.1
LQ: 1.17
Rank #212 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
22.5
$35,029 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 94.7
Employment growth index
Rank #21 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
72.0
YoY wage change index

589 Retail Trade Firms in Auburn-Opelika

589
Establishments
+7.7% YoY
8,378
Total Employment
+5.3% YoY
$35,029
Average Annual Wage
+2.0% YoY
1.17
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Auburn-Opelika vs Alabama Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Alabama overall. The state ranks #36/51 for entry risk.

Measure Auburn-Opelika AL Statewide
Overall Score 35.6 Moderate 46.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #27 of 378 metros #36 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Auburn-Opelika

Healthcare and Social Assistance 12.2 Finance and Insurance 19.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 25.5 Construction 31.5

Retail Trade in Other Alabama Metros

Tuscaloosa 32.9 #14/378 Decatur 37.0 #31/378 Gadsden 41.9 #55/378 Huntsville 44.8 #81/378 Montgomery 49.9 #137/378 Birmingham 51.8 #161/378 Anniston-Oxford 52.9 #175/378 Mobile 54.9 #195/378 Florence-Muscle Shoals 61.9 #276/378 Daphne-Fairhope-Foley 62.9 #285/378

+ 1 more metros. View all in Alabama →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Auburn-Opelika's retail trade sector, the wage pressure component (72.0) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.