Hayden, AL vs Ray, AL
Hayden, AL and Ray, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Hayden scores 87 while Ray scores 83 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.
When it comes to buying, median home values in Hayden are $233,500 compared to $142,800 in Ray, a 64% gap.
Median household income in Hayden is $80,625 compared to $68,487 in Ray (+17.7%). While Hayden is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income.
Climate-wise, Ray is notably warmer with an average of 63°F compared to 59.9°F in Hayden. Hayden receives more rainfall at 58.7" per year compared to 56.4" in Ray.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)