Pelham, AL vs Spanish Fort, AL

Spanish Fort is moderately more affordable than Pelham, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Pelham scores 103 compared to 97 for Spanish Fort, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pelham can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Pelham is $1,573/month compared to $1,246/month in Spanish Fort — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Spanish Fort has cheaper rent, Pelham actually has lower median home values ($278,900 vs $314,000).

Median household income in Pelham is $91,904 compared to $101,574 in Spanish Fort (-9.5%). Spanish Fort offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Pelham spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Spanish Fort.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.4°F vs 66°F). Spanish Fort receives more rainfall at 65.8" per year compared to 56.2" in Pelham.