What is the cost of living in Alabama?

Alabama has an average cost of living index of 78, which is 30% below the national average of 111. Average monthly rent across tracked cities is $1,340, and average median household income is $54,093.

What is the cheapest city in Alabama?

Mobile is the most affordable city tracked in Alabama, with a cost index of 74 and median rent of $1,264/month.

What is the most expensive city in Alabama?

Tuscaloosa is the most expensive city tracked in Alabama, with a cost index of 87 and median rent of $1,490/month.

What is the average rent in Alabama?

The average monthly rent across 5 tracked cities in Alabama is $1,340. The cheapest rent is in Mobile at $1,264/month.

What is the average household income in Alabama?

The average median household income across tracked cities in Alabama is $54,093. The highest-earning city is Huntsville at $70,778.

Is Alabama affordable to live in?

Alabama's average rent-to-income ratio is 30.5%. Financial advisors recommend keeping rent below 30% of gross income. Alabama can be a financial stretch, with rent exceeding 30% of typical incomes in many cities. Mobile offers the best value at a cost index of 74.

Home/Alabama

5 cities tracked

Alabama

Compare affordability, taxes, rent pressure, and earnings across Alabama’s tracked cities with a single state-level intelligence view.

All Rankings

Most affordable: Mobile

Highest income: Huntsville

Avg rent: $1,340

Avg Cost Index

0/ 100

State Population

Avg Income

Avg Rent

$0/mo

Avg Home Price

Tracked City Pop

State Intelligence Overview

Core metrics, city comparisons, and tax signals

Most Affordable

Mobile

Index: 74Rent: $1,264

Most Expensive

Tuscaloosa

Index: 87Rent: $1,490

Highest Income

Huntsville

$70,778Rent: $1,320

Alabama vs National Average

Cost Index

-29.7% vs avg

Avg Rent

$1,340

-29.3% vs avg

Avg Income

$54,093

-32.7% vs avg

Cities in Alabama

City	Cost	Rent	Income	Home Price	Pop	Rent/Inc
Huntsville	77	$1,320	$70,778	$283,226	225,564	22.4%
Birmingham	76	$1,309	$44,376	$134,655	196,644	35.4%
Montgomery	77	$1,317	$55,687	$147,533	195,287	28.4%
Mobile	74	$1,264	$51,090	$191,840	182,595	29.7%
Tuscaloosa	87	$1,490	$48,536	$227,726	111,338	36.8%