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Cost of Living in Alabama

543 cities | Population: 3,378,833

74
Average Cost of Living Index (US = 100)
Median Income: $57,952

Cost of Living in Alabama: Overview

Alabama has a cost of living index of 74, making it 26% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $57,952 (23% below the US median of $75,149). Across 543 cities tracked in Alabama, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across Alabama cities is $849/mo (36% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $159,775 (48% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 93-point spread between the most affordable city, Hamilton (index 56), and the most expensive, Mountain Brook (index 149) — a large gap that shows significant regional cost differences.

When evaluating Alabama, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in Alabama by population are Huntsville (index 87, pop. 218,814), Birmingham (index 75, pop. 199,322), Montgomery (index 76, pop. 198,440), Mobile (index 76, pop. 185,097), and Tuscaloosa (index 81, pop. 107,699). All of these major cities are above the state average, a pattern common in states where metro areas drive up costs relative to rural communities.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.

Cost of Living Map

Top 200 cities by population. Click a marker for details.

All Cities in Alabama (543)

City Population Cost Index Median Income
Huntsville 218,814 87 $70,778
Birmingham 199,322 75 $44,376
Montgomery 198,440 76 $55,687
Mobile 185,097 76 $51,090
Tuscaloosa 107,699 81 $48,536
Hoover 92,401 107 $107,822
Auburn 78,738 90 $56,123
Dothan 71,118 74 $55,052
Madison 58,335 105 $131,436
Decatur 57,760 73 $59,831
Florence 41,231 68 $50,396
Prattville 38,850 86 $79,396
Vestavia Hills 38,704 117 $129,171
Phenix City 38,477 72 $49,715
Alabaster 33,633 94 $90,163
Gadsden 33,617 62 $38,699
Opelika 31,944 77 $58,763
Northport 30,991 81 $77,781
Enterprise 28,990 80 $68,306
Daphne 28,673 99 $86,479
Homewood 27,697 117 $108,386
Athens 27,474 79 $65,000
Trussville 26,182 105 $120,794
Bessemer 25,655 71 $37,844
Pelham 24,510 103 $91,904
Fairhope 23,360 116 $86,509
Albertville 22,584 70 $57,103
Foley 22,330 90 $67,346
Mountain Brook 22,160 149 $191,128
Oxford 22,063 70 $70,065
Helena 21,452 99 $109,590
Anniston 21,377 65 $44,806
Prichard 19,121 64 $35,331
Cullman 18,894 77 $63,704
Troy 17,733 78 $47,595
Tillmans Corner 17,678 70 $52,249
Selma 17,442 62 $32,184
Calera 17,188 95 $82,441
Millbrook 16,923 79 $64,522
Muscle Shoals 16,670 74 $70,927
Hueytown 16,541 83 $62,362
Saraland 16,304 81 $60,577
Center Point 16,125 78 $52,401
Gardendale 16,110 86 $81,215
Gulf Shores 15,785 104 $73,873
Chelsea 15,731 104 $110,056
Scottsboro 15,641 71 $52,949
Hartselle 15,586 70 $67,863
Talladega 15,041 64 $46,820
Fort Payne 14,886 65 $48,623
Alexander City 14,686 64 $42,367
Jasper 14,480 71 $66,250
Ozark 14,348 66 $46,951
Jacksonville 14,345 69 $47,146
McCalla 13,939 109 $83,782
Irondale 13,462 88 $71,240
Moody 13,378 95 $86,389
Pell City 13,353 85 $73,043
Eufaula 12,664 62 $45,550
Sylacauga 12,388 66 $46,384
Leeds 12,221 79 $71,672
Boaz 10,847 65 $49,962
Russellville 10,783 61 $52,529
Saks 10,727 67 $50,529
Valley 10,406 72 $55,422
Spanish Fort 10,377 97 $101,574
Clay 10,288 90 $86,163
Meridianville 10,268 85 $93,030
Rainbow City 10,213 77 $59,659
Pike Road 10,103 111 $121,687
Fairfield 9,846 72 $48,492
Fultondale 9,753 84 $69,127
Pleasant Grove 9,502 83 $68,344
Southside 9,407 81 $73,695
Sheffield 9,334 66 $42,097
Forestdale 9,149 78 $57,145
Tuscumbia 9,084 66 $47,342
Tuskegee 9,070 60 $38,160
Meadowbrook 8,939 103 $145,464
Clanton 8,862 74 $49,952
Andalusia 8,841 65 $47,500
Guntersville 8,771 80 $67,448
Arab 8,573 69 $60,985
Brook Highland 8,428 108 $87,143
Atmore 8,389 65 $33,104
Orange Beach 8,244 113 $89,034
Bay Minette 8,215 68 $39,737
Pinson 7,851 91 $80,349
Montevallo 7,429 77 $54,665
Greenville 7,229 63 $40,744
Wetumpka 7,182 80 $54,945
Lincoln 7,135 73 $60,793
Demopolis 7,010 68 $41,457
Robertsdale 6,985 79 $55,707
Oneonta 6,943 68 $47,719
Hamilton 6,907 56 $53,714
Lanett 6,854 63 $42,415
Satsuma 6,784 85 $97,550
Opp 6,752 63 $41,346
Harvest 6,624 90 $99,542
Chickasaw 6,367 69 $42,854
Moores Mill 6,041 90 $86,902
Tarrant 6,014 67 $38,861
Grayson Valley 5,882 78 $60,354
Monroeville 5,875 59 $31,629
Attalla 5,829 59 $55,429
Holtville 5,700 81 $73,250
Highland Lakes 5,673 118 $169,833
Rainsville 5,613 68 $64,140
Margaret 5,538 77 $97,075
Smiths Station 5,443 74 $57,410
Semmes 5,404 76 $66,458
Glencoe 5,356 66 $66,050
Roanoke 5,332 60 $48,083
Brewton 5,232 63 $48,766
Redland 5,231 81 $131,667
Fort Rucker 5,221 99 $75,875
Headland 5,124 70 $82,736
Midfield 5,101 76 $51,776
Tallassee 5,056 69 $63,534
Odenville 5,015 89 $70,815
Winfield 4,982 66 $71,078
Theodore 4,950 81 $60,764
Springville 4,949 77 $76,964
Daleville 4,891 64 $45,522
Piedmont 4,749 62 $41,964
Childersburg 4,694 66 $49,178
Jackson 4,654 60 $46,250
Columbiana 4,640 79 $68,125
Hokes Bluff 4,493 75 $81,544
Argo 4,456 116 $107,818
Kimberly 4,327 88 $96,190
Adamsville 4,291 84 $60,564
Haleyville 4,283 61 $40,538
Lake View 4,238 87 $96,409
Pine Level 4,228 90 $99,444
Geneva 4,227 59 $48,798
Fayette 4,221 59 $38,009
Valley Grande 4,106 69 $61,141
Loxley 4,029 102 $85,250
Ladonia 3,987 72 $52,045
Citronelle 3,918 66 $48,926
Hazel Green 3,765 79 $90,654
Grand Bay 3,765 72 $62,318
West End-Cobb Town 3,705 59 $55,603
Thomasville 3,668 72 $43,669
Centre 3,664 65 $43,912
Priceville 3,653 77 $108,398
Moundville 3,649 70 $69,146
Holt 3,540 71 $46,379
Triana 3,510 104 $102,375
Heflin 3,462 67 $46,569
Elba 3,459 60 $41,310
Mount Olive CDP (Jefferson County) 3,449 79 $84,120
Evergreen 3,442 65 $38,098
Alexandria 3,420 72 $92,232
Moulton 3,397 59 $40,792
Emerald Mountain 3,387 96 $125,341
East Brewton 3,325 61 $43,070
Weaver 3,323 72 $74,458
Union Springs 3,287 57 $25,828
Hanceville 3,255 67 $39,894
Livingston 3,243 68 $24,491
Red Bay 3,213 57 $35,587
Warrior 3,204 75 $56,133
Choccolocco 3,120 87 $76,898
Bon Secour 3,094 95 $60,833
Brighton 3,091 58 $36,219
Underwood-Petersville 3,049 62 $43,000
Dadeville 3,034 73 $57,240
Marion 2,994 56 $38,221
Huguley 2,944 67 $43,736
Eagle Point 2,929 139 $146,125
Taylor 2,916 73 $62,596
New Hope 2,895 67 $80,787
Eutaw 2,864 79 $31,583
Brent 2,862 59 $24,041
Cottondale 2,850 68 $44,250
York 2,849 59 $37,009
Centreville 2,757 66 $41,130
Ashville 2,748 75 $65,169
Jemison 2,728 74 $54,468
Luverne 2,713 62 $51,537
Owens Cross Roads 2,678 77 $73,708
Hartford 2,677 67 $54,286
La Fayette 2,665 56 $32,999
Indian Springs Village 2,637 143 $138,250
Lineville 2,636 62 $37,396
Deatsville 2,618 93 $112,176
Dora 2,617 68 $61,276
Stapleton 2,606 98 $127,535
Thorsby 2,601 87 $77,500
Graysville 2,600 74 $61,250
Henagar 2,554 63 $44,922
Butler 2,552 68 $47,880
Morris 2,546 75 $108,274
Good Hope 2,542 79 $88,068
Trinity 2,533 71 $95,625
Sumiton 2,506 70 $62,226
Creola 2,489 78 $68,594
Brookwood 2,489 81 $79,297
Abbeville 2,470 55 $32,778
Guin 2,469 81 $47,358
Ashford 2,438 71 $61,087
Lipscomb 2,407 65 $45,792
Greensboro 2,390 63 $31,207
Bridgeport 2,377 54 $31,723
Remlap 2,369 86 $67,475
Aliceville 2,338 60 $33,125
Westover 2,298 85 $90,125
Crossville 2,296 59 $48,464
Clayton 2,271 60 $32,625
Coaling 2,253 76 $83,587
Riverside 2,247 82 $67,750
Elberta 2,209 78 $57,996
Cowarts 2,189 70 $57,734
Kinsey 2,175 69 $51,042
Brundidge 2,170 57 $37,555
Selmont-West Selmont 2,121 51 $32,365
Whitesboro 2,098 68 $66,215
Wilsonville 2,097 78 $65,417
Camden 2,056 58 $38,864
Sylvania 2,005 61 $53,973
Slocomb 1,995 62 $38,988
Bayou La Batre 1,977 64 $40,667
Stevenson 1,947 69 $48,214
Dauphin Island 1,944 116 $64,615
Grove Hill 1,940 66 $49,223
Lillian 1,889 93 $65,313
Linden 1,879 62 $30,313
Concord 1,878 70 $62,431
Vincent 1,870 70 $42,632
Point Clear 1,858 146 $45,898
Florala 1,841 55 $34,857
Malvern 1,836 67 $52,500
Collinsville 1,835 65 $31,411
Vance 1,822 81 $76,654
Vernon 1,819 55 $27,174
Sardis City 1,805 72 $59,632
Midland City 1,803 61 $35,638
Carlisle-Rockledge 1,791 83 $59,246
Ashland 1,779 56 $41,875
Blountsville 1,757 67 $46,555
Cordova 1,723 49 $38,190
Munford 1,694 61 $39,125
Flomaton 1,675 61 $36,250
Frisco City 1,657 60 $35,602
Uniontown 1,655 52 $31,071
Harpersville 1,649 76 $72,941
Rehobeth 1,647 80 $69,438
Hackleburg 1,642 57 $43,854
Reform 1,636 51 $33,958
Cedar Bluff 1,633 67 $48,784
Marbury 1,609 89 $76,367
Level Plains 1,608 66 $64,167
Ragland 1,601 57 $37,679
Summerdale 1,589 85 $67,768
Fort Deposit 1,560 51 $20,156
Sylvan Springs 1,559 81 $78,214
Stewartville 1,557 70 $73,750
Snead 1,490 84 $46,075
Elmore 1,482 69 $33,958
Samson 1,477 59 $31,964
Smoke Rise 1,469 90 $120,100
Falkville 1,464 61 $43,145
Hayden 1,453 87 $80,625
Ardmore 1,444 70 $43,542
New Brockton 1,440 64 $69,135
Sulligent 1,440 58 $30,625
Carbon Hill 1,440 51 $22,283
Gordo 1,435 57 $46,863
Georgiana 1,432 55 $25,469
Newton 1,431 59 $59,915
Killen 1,431 72 $61,422
Coats Bend 1,429 82 $52,089
Millport 1,417 59 $77,292
Grant 1,410 66 $88,571
Webb 1,398 65 $48,102
Clio 1,393 50 $29,781
Blue Ridge 1,375 96 $124,875
Goodwater 1,375 57 $36,938
Shoal Creek 1,371 175 $165,625
Cleveland 1,366 74 $69,087
Geraldine 1,340 60 $62,768
Mount Vernon 1,339 74 $41,250
Susan Moore 1,323 60 $81,875
West Blocton 1,320 70 $37,537
Bear Creek 1,317 58 $36,250
Rock Creek 1,313 85 $80,063
Locust Fork 1,312 78 $42,045
New Market 1,296 71 $71,083
Steele 1,293 63 $70,000
Woodstock 1,282 66 $71,154
Magnolia Springs 1,278 100 $93,000
Rogersville 1,260 67 $63,164
Fyffe 1,250 57 $32,407
Gallant 1,215 78 $53,698
Altoona 1,211 53 $36,694
Eclectic 1,201 65 $49,250
Brookside 1,200 81 $43,750
Double Springs 1,188 53 $32,250
Douglas 1,153 73 $56,406
Coker 1,152 87 $69,931
Ballplay 1,149 83 $60,825
Fayetteville 1,135 90 $73,342
Autaugaville 1,119 56 $47,652
Camp Hill 1,098 59 $30,000
Parrish 1,093 68 $25,769
Cottonwood 1,091 50 $35,417
Tidmore Bend 1,086 75 $49,688
Brilliant 1,078 49 $47,877
Notasulga 1,074 62 $63,333
Lookout Mountain 1,074 78 $43,472
Berry 1,063 54 $48,819
Coosada 1,060 70 $65,614
Cherokee 1,059 66 $54,107
Ohatchee 1,043 71 $71,364
Egypt 1,039 85 $37,153
Town Creek 1,015 59 $40,993
Woodville 1,015 63 $50,000
Skyline 1,011 62 $40,721
Dunnavant 1,010 80 $72,813
Pisgah 1,009 58 $55,385
Section 998 64 $35,417
Baileyton 976 67 $61,110
Redstone Arsenal 971 109 $118,750
Hobson City 962 51 $35,769
Hollywood 939 72 $55,573
Silverhill 929 91 $61,081
New Union 927 82 $43,493
Brantley 915 53 $35,500
Powell 911 64 $62,868
Minor 911 74 $32,065
Wedowee 905 66 $41,635
Oak Grove 905 68 $59,191
Franklin 899 59 $83,480
Sterrett 895 85 $63,854
White Plains 895 95 $59,087
Hayneville 895 63 $30,714
Carrollton 892 83 $29,957
Vandiver 890 85 $36,250
South Vinemont 872 66 $49,674
Ider 871 84 $42,500
Walnut Grove 871 56 $41,223
Littleville 866 63 $48,977
Mosses 865 77 $26,250
Pine Hill 861 50 $43,359
Belle Fontaine 853 86 $100,144
Wadley 837 61 $47,788
Phil Campbell 834 59 $31,500
Valley Head 825 64 $44,396
Lynn 821 59 $41,811
Mignon 820 56 $33,217
Holly Pond 816 66 $45,221
Sand Rock 815 88 $81,750
Leesburg 813 69 $53,472
Maplesville 813 73 $38,083
Pea Ridge 808 80 $57,273
Reece City 795 76 $73,472
Allgood 788 64 $73,125
Courtland 777 75 $41,406
Rockford 776 55 $54,000
Pickensville 776 68 $46,667
Gilbertown 772 73 $66,300
Columbia 769 67 $55,417
Kinston 760 57 $36,875
New Site 740 63 $66,875
St. Florian 737 70 $56,250
McKenzie 731 52 $31,250
Hollis Crossroads 724 82 $54,135
Brantleyville 720 68 $41,000
Forkland 716 76 $29,200
Leighton 711 50 $33,214
Ariton 706 65 $34,943
McDonald Chapel 704 76 $59,556
Edgewater 694 97 $129,542
Eva 692 68 $99,250
Somerville 692 65 $44,783
Wilton 691 56 $54,000
Reeltown 690 80 $38,802
Fairview 681 72 $46,750
Pinckard 679 64 $56,071
Chatom 669 57 $39,444
Lexington 665 65 $56,354
Addison 651 81 $54,911
Ivalee 649 62 $38,650
White Hall 649 62 $29,545
Midway 633 77 $43,750
Louisville 625 72 $43,886
Woodland 615 85 $165,427
Hollins 597 81 $40,550
Our Town 596 96 $63,333
Perdido Beach 595 98 $71,429
Berlin 592 75 $59,423
Mulga 589 64 $34,844
Newville 587 61 $42,679
Garden City 572 82 $55,313
Hytop 569 64 $70,833
Hurtsboro 568 53 $35,781
West Point 566 67 $55,500
Red Level 560 60 $39,750
Trafford 560 59 $23,750
Babbie 559 79 $58,068
Jacksons' Gap 554 64 $31,667
Dodge City 549 65 $58,750
Millry 548 54 $30,521
Pine Ridge 546 63 $68,250
Gurley 543 73 $55,000
Pennington 536 50 $28,186
River Falls 534 62 $33,281
Fruithurst 528 62 $55,417
West Jefferson 527 64 $36,667
Ranburne 524 78 $73,750
Hackneyville 519 82 $72,045
Arley 518 78 $48,036
Highland Lake 516 83 $65,625
Perdido 515 91 $36,983
Grimes 515 61 $32,500
Silas 505 79 $66,591
Napier Field 505 61 $43,393
Excel 504 61 $66,167
Kennedy 504 60 $42,031
Lisman 490 77 $42,109
Pleasant Groves 490 60 $57,850
Clayhatchee 490 63 $53,095
Ray 488 83 $68,487
Hillsboro 482 66 $59,359
Nectar 474 78 $46,000
Black 462 75 $58,438
Shiloh 456 79 $58,036
Rock Mills 437 77 $19,583
Thomaston 421 73 $50,625
Fulton 417 81 $59,038
Nixburg 414 74 $51,563
Dozier 410 57 $45,882
Dutton 409 57 $72,083
Glen Allen 406 80 $46,094
North Courtland 405 47 $37,250
Stockton 390 96 $143,239
Millerville 389 96 $93,438
Avon 388 65 $52,500
Gordon 382 63 $41,458
Goshen 378 67 $49,013
Cuba 369 61 $75,074
Vina 368 57 $40,469
Twin 366 79 $58,333
Epes 361 76 $15,156
Mentone 360 90 $42,500
Akron 354 78 $43,375
Newbern 334 79 $36,346
Hammondville 330 64 $50,536
Shorter 328 78 $31,250
Belk 327 54 $46,750
Elkmont 327 64 $47,500
Waverly 312 97 $79,375
Gordonville 311 76 $46,875
Anderson 309 74 $86,250
Hodges 306 56 $66,875
County Line 302 79 $70,625
Banks 298 88 $49,773
Lockhart 297 56 $36,964
Castleberry 288 54 $21,111
Whatley 285 96 $71,250
Sipsey 283 85 $25,179
Waldo 282 74 $33,125
Boykin 280 96 $36,908
Bakerhill 280 57 $54,327
Repton 274 80 $41,154
Horn Hill 272 65 $58,125
Geiger 271 76 $39,583
Maytown 263 64 $50,662
Colony 261 56 $43,750
Langston 261 79 $51,042
Madrid 253 66 $38,750
Coffee Springs 252 66 $37,917
Carolina 250 60 $51,250
Riverview 249 81 $37,404
Fredonia 246 90 $50,294
Weogufka 246 80 $52,222
Axis 243 86 $86,111
Edwardsville 243 63 $88,958
Toxey 241 86 $51,250
Heath 238 68 $63,463
Coffeeville 237 78 $31,964
Nauvoo 233 66 $46,000
Detroit 230 49 $16,250
Sanford 228 65 $28,393
Rutledge 223 56 $57,625
Talladega Springs 220 81 $73,854
Loachapoka 218 74 $47,250
Hissop 215 96 $63,223
Uriah 214 96 $121,458
Boligee 213 68 $25,076
Onycha 208 59 $42,143
Mount Olive CDP (Coosa County) 202 78 $49,688
Daviston 199 83 $66,000
McIntosh 198 88 $81,094
Spruce Pine 197 96 $92,344
Bellamy 190 96 $50,389
Kellyton 188 80 $63,750
Beaverton 184 52 $56,458
Paint Rock 182 79 $50,000
Glenwood 180 58 $40,114
Faunsdale 180 80 $79,773
Union 172 96 $20,000
Spring Garden 171 71 $58,264
Beatrice 169 78 $40,833
Hanover 163 96 $105,429
Sweet Water 157 70 $65,000
Pine Apple 157 80 $43,125
Fairford 155 89 $94,309
Cusseta 154 88 $78,977
Yellow Bluff 144 79 $12,107
Lester 130 87 $77,679
Gu-Win 130 85 $41,250
Ridgeville 128 78 $27,750
Penton 128 72 $31,186
Kansas 128 60 $46,875
Libertyville 122 79 $81,042
Orrville 120 60 $24,531
Gaylesville 120 80 $36,875
Bon Air 116 66 $36,607
Pollard 111 79 $73,500
Movico 109 96 $17,649
Lowndesboro 108 87 $68,625
Gulfcrest 105 96 $63,875
North Johns 103 78 $46,607
Myrtlewood 102 96 $93,646
Providence 101 83 $48,750
Lakeview 100 63 $48,750
Eldridge 96 84 $85,000
Blue Springs 95 77 $50,625
Waterloo 92 57 $29,219
Ethelsville 86 85 $68,571
Needham 83 96 $78,906
Goldville 83 96 $63,125
Union Grove 74 86 $50,227
Billingsley 71 82 $54,375
Petrey 66 78 $65,000
Graham 63 96 $58,056
Belgreen 33 95 $36,667
Memphis 27 76 $2,499
McMullen 20 96 $12,083