Calera, AL vs Chickasaw, AL
The cost of living difference between Calera, AL and Chickasaw, AL is dramatic. Chickasaw is 38.6% cheaper than Calera, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calera has a cost index of 95 while Chickasaw sits at 69, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.
On the housing front, median rent in Calera is $1,505/month compared to $945/month in Chickasaw — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chickasaw is more affordable at $110,300 median vs $214,200.
Median household income in Calera is $82,441 compared to $42,854 in Chickasaw (+92.4%). While Calera is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Calera spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, less than the 26.5% in Chickasaw.
Climate-wise, Chickasaw is notably warmer with an average of 69.1°F compared to 64.4°F in Calera. Chickasaw receives more rainfall at 60.5" per year compared to 56.2" in Calera.
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Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)