Before you decide to relocate to Alabama, it’s important to research the exact cost of living around the state. And that’s what we’re going to help you do.
These are the places in Alabama that cost a pretty penny — the most expensive cities in the state.
We used Saturday Night Science to compare the 2018-2022 American Community Survey on cost of living for the 104 places in Alabama with more than 5,000 people.
After we saved up for months and could finally afford it, we landed on this list of the ten most expensive cities in Alabama for 2024.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Alabama For 2024
What’s the most expensive place to live in Alabama? Well, HomeSnacks crunched the numbers and discovered that Mountain Brook is the most expensive place to live in Alabama.
Hamilton (the cheapest place to live in Alabama) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.
And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out some more reading about Alabama and the most expensive cities in the country:
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Alabama For 2024
/10
Population: 22,259
Cost Of Living Index: 142
Median Income: $167,007
Average Home Price: $887,856
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.3x
More on Mountain Brook: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Mountain Brook is 142. The median income in Mountain Brook comes in at $167,007 and the average home value is $887,856 for 2024.
/10
Population: 38,600
Cost Of Living Index: 116
Median Income: $127,582
Average Home Price: $517,867
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.1x
More on Vestavia Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Vestavia Hills is 116. The median income in Vestavia Hills comes in at $127,582 and the average home value is $517,867 for 2024.
/10
Population: 27,557
Cost Of Living Index: 112
Median Income: $97,366
Average Home Price: $496,963
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.1x
More on Homewood: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Homewood is 112. The median income in Homewood comes in at $97,366 and the average home value is $496,963 for 2024.
/10
Population: 91,995
Cost Of Living Index: 109
Median Income: $101,765
Average Home Price: $423,088
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.2x
More on Hoover: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Hoover is 109. The median income in Hoover comes in at $101,765 and the average home value is $423,088 for 2024.
/10
Population: 25,621
Cost Of Living Index: 106
Median Income: $118,028
Average Home Price: $376,558
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.2x
More on Trussville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Trussville is 106. The median income in Trussville comes in at $118,028 and the average home value is $376,558 for 2024.
/10
Population: 15,201
Cost Of Living Index: 106
Median Income: $102,344
Average Home Price: $372,677
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.6x
More on Chelsea: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Chelsea is 106. The median income in Chelsea comes in at $102,344 and the average home value is $372,677 for 2024.
/10
Population: 15,178
Cost Of Living Index: 105
Median Income: $62,021
Average Home Price: $468,361
Home Price To Income Ratio: 7.6x
More on Gulf Shores: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Gulf Shores is 105. The median income in Gulf Shores comes in at $62,021 and the average home value is $468,361 for 2024.
/10
Population: 10,083
Cost Of Living Index: 105
Median Income: $98,350
Average Home Price: $386,694
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.9x
More on Spanish Fort: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Spanish Fort is 105. The median income in Spanish Fort comes in at $98,350 and the average home value is $386,694 for 2024.
/10
Population: 9,651
Cost Of Living Index: 105
Median Income: $119,928
Average Home Price: $391,577
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.3x
More on Pike Road: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Pike Road is 105. The median income in Pike Road comes in at $119,928 and the average home value is $391,577 for 2024.
/10
Population: 76,660
Cost Of Living Index: 103
Median Income: $55,509
Average Home Price: $350,820
Home Price To Income Ratio: 6.3x
More on Auburn: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Auburn is 103. The median income in Auburn comes in at $55,509 and the average home value is $350,820 for 2024.
Methodology: How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Heart of Dixie For 2024
The two most important things to think about when it comes to being able to afford a city in Alabama are:
- How much money do I make?
- How much do I have to spend to live there?
You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make.
For example, if the median household earns $100,000 and spends $40,000 on housing, it’s actually cheaper to live there than a place with a median income of $50,000 and housing costs of $21,000. You might spend more on housing, but you have more money overall to play with.
With that example in mind, we derived several statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2018-2022 around incomes and costs. They are:
- Overall Cost Of Living Index
- Median Home Price / Median Income (lower is better)
- Median Income / Median Rent (Higher is better)
- Median Home Price
You can then compare these metrics in each of the places in Alabama to figure out which is the most expensive.
You are left with a “Cost of Living Index” by taking the average rank of each of these metrics for each city.
So we used that cost of living index to rank all of the 104 places in Alabama that have more than 5,000 people.
The place with the highest cost of living in Alabama according to the data is Mountain Brook. We updated this article for 2024. This article is our tenth time ranking the most expensive places to live in Alabama.
Summary: Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck In Alabama For 2024
Well, there you have it, the places in Alabama that have the highest cost of living, with Mountain Brook ranking as the most expensive city in the Heart of Dixie.
The most expensive cities in Alabama are Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Hoover, Trussville, Chelsea, Gulf Shores, Spanish Fort, Pike Road, and Auburn.
Here’s a look at the most affordable cities in Alabama according to the data:
- Hamilton
- Prichard
- Attalla
For more Alabama reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Alabama
- Cheapest Places To Live In Alabama
- Most Dangerous Cities In Alabama
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Alabama
- Safest Places In Alabama
- Worst Places To Live In Alabama
Most Expensive Cities In Alabama
| Rank | City | Cost Of Living | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Home/Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain Brook | 142 | 22,259 | $167,007 | $887,856 | 5.3x |
| 2 | Vestavia Hills | 116 | 38,600 | $127,582 | $517,867 | 4.1x |
| 3 | Homewood | 112 | 27,557 | $97,366 | $496,963 | 5.1x |
| 4 | Hoover | 109 | 91,995 | $101,765 | $423,088 | 4.2x |
| 5 | Trussville | 106 | 25,621 | $118,028 | $376,558 | 3.2x |
| 6 | Chelsea | 106 | 15,201 | $102,344 | $372,677 | 3.6x |
| 7 | Gulf Shores | 105 | 15,178 | $62,021 | $468,361 | 7.6x |
| 8 | Spanish Fort | 105 | 10,083 | $98,350 | $386,694 | 3.9x |
| 9 | Pike Road | 105 | 9,651 | $119,928 | $391,577 | 3.3x |
| 10 | Auburn | 103 | 76,660 | $55,509 | $350,820 | 6.3x |
| 11 | Madison | 103 | 56,967 | $118,132 | $371,983 | 3.1x |
| 12 | Orange Beach | 103 | 8,048 | $90,402 | $701,196 | 7.8x |
| 13 | Fairhope | 102 | 22,605 | $85,456 | $462,465 | 5.4x |
| 14 | Helena | 101 | 21,036 | $107,360 | $344,616 | 3.2x |
| 15 | Enterprise | 97 | 28,513 | $64,888 | $200,569 | 3.1x |
| 16 | Daphne | 97 | 27,861 | $80,657 | $317,169 | 3.9x |
| 17 | Pelham | 97 | 24,221 | $94,108 | $300,946 | 3.2x |
| 18 | Pleasant Grove | 97 | 9,549 | $72,917 | $224,499 | 3.1x |
| 19 | Margaret | 97 | 5,294 | $83,814 | $259,656 | 3.1x |
| 20 | Alabaster | 95 | 33,417 | $89,423 | $288,633 | 3.2x |
| 21 | Gardendale | 95 | 16,051 | $78,719 | $257,779 | 3.3x |
| 22 | Opelika | 94 | 31,361 | $55,218 | $270,539 | 4.9x |
| 23 | Guntersville | 94 | 8,644 | $61,453 | $275,377 | 4.5x |
| 24 | Huntsville | 93 | 215,025 | $67,874 | $276,878 | 4.1x |
| 25 | Tuscaloosa | 93 | 105,797 | $47,257 | $207,537 | 4.4x |
| 26 | Dothan | 93 | 70,699 | $53,704 | $184,646 | 3.4x |
| 27 | Northport | 93 | 30,714 | $72,286 | $257,877 | 3.6x |
| 28 | Calera | 93 | 16,644 | $73,775 | $248,784 | 3.4x |
| 29 | Clay | 93 | 10,315 | $74,198 | $244,802 | 3.3x |
| 30 | Fultondale | 93 | 9,756 | $72,741 | $220,246 | 3.0x |
| 31 | Foley | 92 | 21,113 | $60,090 | $296,222 | 4.9x |
| 32 | Leeds | 92 | 12,292 | $67,159 | $237,534 | 3.5x |
| 33 | Southside | 92 | 9,358 | $70,843 | $254,667 | 3.6x |
| 34 | Arab | 92 | 8,552 | $56,471 | $218,349 | 3.9x |
| 35 | Pinson | 92 | 7,209 | $83,673 | $206,702 | 2.5x |
| 36 | Oneonta | 92 | 6,925 | $44,167 | $199,742 | 4.5x |
| 37 | Phenix City | 91 | 38,413 | $46,944 | $184,141 | 3.9x |
| 38 | Millbrook | 91 | 16,631 | $63,521 | $196,171 | 3.1x |
| 39 | Scottsboro | 91 | 15,543 | $49,287 | $192,512 | 3.9x |
| 40 | Irondale | 91 | 13,455 | $68,869 | $266,185 | 3.9x |
| 41 | Moody | 91 | 13,235 | $77,680 | $257,342 | 3.3x |
| 42 | Montevallo | 91 | 7,288 | $56,500 | $225,034 | 4.0x |
| 43 | Saraland | 90 | 16,109 | $62,802 | $222,397 | 3.5x |
| 44 | Jacksonville | 90 | 14,227 | $46,451 | $192,734 | 4.1x |
| 45 | Pell City | 90 | 13,148 | $71,027 | $266,567 | 3.8x |
| 46 | Eufaula | 90 | 12,746 | $39,511 | $156,427 | 4.0x |
| 47 | Smiths Station | 90 | 5,441 | $55,676 | $256,069 | 4.6x |
| 48 | Prattville | 89 | 38,124 | $76,176 | $233,140 | 3.1x |
| 49 | Cullman | 89 | 18,434 | $59,982 | $235,534 | 3.9x |
| 50 | Hueytown | 89 | 16,655 | $64,176 | $162,864 | 2.5x |
| 51 | Center Point | 89 | 16,279 | $49,886 | $152,646 | 3.1x |
| 52 | Jasper | 89 | 14,453 | $62,850 | $202,953 | 3.2x |
| 53 | Satsuma | 89 | 6,740 | $87,974 | $228,979 | 2.6x |
| 54 | Rainsville | 89 | 5,545 | $60,339 | $203,975 | 3.4x |
| 55 | Albertville | 88 | 22,433 | $55,933 | $185,432 | 3.3x |
| 56 | Muscle Shoals | 88 | 16,334 | $70,493 | $239,988 | 3.4x |
| 57 | Alexander City | 88 | 14,788 | $42,141 | $169,024 | 4.0x |
| 58 | Rainbow City | 88 | 10,184 | $60,260 | $231,569 | 3.8x |
| 59 | Wetumpka | 88 | 7,129 | $54,477 | $257,347 | 4.7x |
| 60 | Lincoln | 88 | 6,968 | $65,042 | $234,743 | 3.6x |
| 61 | Decatur | 87 | 57,525 | $55,164 | $206,372 | 3.7x |
| 62 | Florence | 87 | 40,781 | $47,048 | $190,715 | 4.1x |
| 63 | Oxford | 87 | 22,019 | $66,031 | $177,057 | 2.7x |
| 64 | Troy | 87 | 17,757 | $38,783 | $180,377 | 4.7x |
| 65 | Valley | 87 | 10,442 | $54,237 | $146,407 | 2.7x |
| 66 | Sylacauga | 86 | 12,465 | $46,137 | $157,852 | 3.4x |
| 67 | Fairfield | 86 | 9,975 | $45,646 | $89,729 | 2.0x |
| 68 | Robertsdale | 86 | 6,793 | $55,345 | $263,043 | 4.8x |
| 69 | Opp | 86 | 6,741 | $42,956 | $97,515 | 2.3x |
| 70 | Tallassee | 86 | 5,174 | $48,531 | $164,771 | 3.4x |
| 71 | Athens | 85 | 26,179 | $57,444 | $292,471 | 5.1x |
| 72 | Bessemer | 85 | 25,890 | $34,953 | $113,657 | 3.3x |
| 73 | Ozark | 85 | 14,373 | $47,407 | $139,034 | 2.9x |
| 74 | Boaz | 85 | 10,248 | $43,276 | $185,474 | 4.3x |
| 75 | Bay Minette | 85 | 8,159 | $36,899 | $210,089 | 5.7x |
| 76 | Demopolis | 85 | 7,080 | $51,364 | $153,312 | 3.0x |
| 77 | Brewton | 85 | 5,257 | $45,881 | $149,753 | 3.3x |
| 78 | Birmingham | 84 | 200,431 | $42,464 | $102,370 | 2.4x |
| 79 | Montgomery | 84 | 199,819 | $54,166 | $137,269 | 2.5x |
| 80 | Mobile | 84 | 186,316 | $48,524 | $183,563 | 3.8x |
| 81 | Hartselle | 84 | 15,414 | $64,876 | $231,775 | 3.6x |
| 82 | Andalusia | 84 | 8,841 | $44,196 | $119,027 | 2.7x |
| 83 | Lanett | 84 | 6,880 | $48,125 | $107,150 | 2.2x |
| 84 | Chickasaw | 84 | 6,398 | $38,985 | $100,413 | 2.6x |
| 85 | Tarrant | 84 | 6,077 | $37,768 | $66,566 | 1.8x |
| 86 | Glencoe | 84 | 5,343 | $68,893 | $194,932 | 2.8x |
| 87 | Midfield | 84 | 5,159 | $48,219 | $81,363 | 1.7x |
| 88 | Fort Payne | 83 | 14,815 | $44,549 | $181,111 | 4.1x |
| 89 | Clanton | 83 | 8,776 | $48,566 | $209,433 | 4.3x |
| 90 | Atmore | 83 | 8,465 | $30,472 | $152,700 | 5.0x |
| 91 | Greenville | 83 | 7,326 | $39,087 | $109,448 | 2.8x |
| 92 | Roanoke | 83 | 5,346 | $43,664 | $128,364 | 2.9x |
| 93 | Sheffield | 82 | 9,330 | $39,666 | $116,822 | 2.9x |
| 94 | Tuskegee | 82 | 9,173 | $32,449 | $71,503 | 2.2x |
| 95 | Tuscumbia | 82 | 9,029 | $47,530 | $177,073 | 3.7x |
| 96 | Anniston | 81 | 21,502 | $45,642 | $121,785 | 2.7x |
| 97 | Talladega | 81 | 15,071 | $37,945 | $144,296 | 3.8x |
| 98 | Monroeville | 81 | 5,917 | $32,040 | $134,923 | 4.2x |
| 99 | Gadsden | 80 | 33,881 | $39,696 | $87,217 | 2.2x |
| 100 | Selma | 80 | 17,875 | $31,084 | $53,690 | 1.7x |