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Tuskegee Airmen National Historic SiteTuskegee, #1 on this list · Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site · Photo: Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0
Alabama rankings · Cost of living

Most affordable towns in Alabama

Tuskegee ranks first on cost of living among Alabama’s 187 towns of 2,500+; 66 of the 187 grade A− or better on cost of living nationally.

The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). How grades work

#1

Tuskegee

Macon County · 8,644 people
A+

Cost of living grade, homes cost 1.5 years of area income·Overall D · #136 of 187 in AL

#2

New Hope

Madison County · 3,054 people
A+

Cost of living grade, homes cost 2.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #31 of 187 in AL

#3

Elba

Coffee County · 3,408 people
A+

Cost of living grade, homes cost 1.9 years of area income·Overall D− · #166 of 187 in AL

All 187 towns

Cost of living grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.

187 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.

#TownGradeHome price · overall
1TuskegeeMacon County · 8,644 peopleA+1.5 years of area income·Overall D · #136 of 187
2New HopeMadison County · 3,054 peopleA+2.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #31 of 187
3ElbaCoffee County · 3,408 peopleA+1.9 years of area income·Overall D− · #166 of 187
4Stapletonunincorporated, Baldwin County · 3,009 peopleA+4.0 years of area income·Overall B+ · #42 of 187
5Red BayFranklin County · 3,196 peopleA+2.9 years of area income·Overall C · #93 of 187
6Remlapunincorporated, Blount County · 2,761 peopleA+2.9 years of area income·Overall B− · #60 of 187
7GenevaGeneva County · 4,307 peopleA+2.4 years of area income·Overall C+ · #71 of 187
8SumitonWalker County · 2,511 peopleA+2.3 years of area income·Overall C · #91 of 187
9Hazel Greenunincorporated, Madison County · 3,940 peopleA+3.0 years of area income·Overall A · #5 of 187
10Owens Cross RoadsMadison County · 3,334 peopleA+5.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #34 of 187
11WarriorJefferson County · 3,320 peopleA3.3 years of area income·Overall C · #97 of 187
12MoultonLawrence County · 3,436 peopleA3.3 years of area income·Overall C− · #109 of 187
13Underwood-Petersvilleunincorporated, Lauderdale County · 3,100 peopleA2.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #24 of 187
14AttallaEtowah County · 5,807 peopleA2.6 years of area income·Overall D · #141 of 187
15HaleyvilleWinston County · 4,303 peopleA2.3 years of area income·Overall C · #98 of 187
16RussellvilleFranklin County · 10,904 peopleA3.3 years of area income·Overall C · #82 of 187
17JasperWalker County · 14,585 peopleA2.8 years of area income·Overall B− · #66 of 187
18ArgoSt. Clair County · 4,376 peopleA3.5 years of area income·Overall A · #2 of 187
19HamiltonMarion County · 6,769 peopleA3.4 years of area income·Overall C · #90 of 187
20HartfordGeneva County · 2,801 peopleA3.1 years of area income·Overall B · #52 of 187
21EutawGreene County · 2,640 peopleA2.1 years of area income·Overall D · #145 of 187
22PricevilleMorgan County · 3,952 peopleA4.7 years of area income·Overall A · #4 of 187
23West End-Cobb Townunincorporated, Calhoun County · 3,453 peopleA1.3 years of area income·Overall C · #100 of 187
24Huguleyunincorporated, Chambers County · 2,577 peopleA2.6 years of area income·Overall C · #101 of 187
25Mount Oliveunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,567 peopleA3.7 years of area income·Overall B · #47 of 187
26CentrevilleBibb County · 2,709 peopleA3.1 years of area income·Overall D · #142 of 187
27Bon Secourunincorporated, Baldwin County · 2,789 peopleA3.9 years of area income·Overall C+ · #68 of 187
28BoazMarshall County · 10,619 peopleA3.4 years of area income·Overall B− · #63 of 187
29HartselleMorgan County · 16,312 peopleA3.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #37 of 187
30Hokes BluffEtowah County · 4,706 peopleA4.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #23 of 187
31AthensLimestone County · 34,209 peopleA3.6 years of area income·Overall B− · #57 of 187
32TallasseeElmore County · 4,738 peopleA3.0 years of area income·Overall C− · #123 of 187
33Pine Levelunincorporated, Autauga County · 4,170 peopleA3.8 years of area income·Overall B · #45 of 187
34Cottondaleunincorporated, Tuscaloosa County · 2,632 peopleA3.2 years of area income·Overall C+ · #77 of 187
35Good HopeCullman County · 2,682 peopleA3.7 years of area income·Overall A− · #27 of 187
36TrinityMorgan County · 2,638 peopleA3.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #35 of 187
37Saksunincorporated, Calhoun County · 10,681 peopleA2.6 years of area income·Overall C · #84 of 187
38Alexander CityTallapoosa County · 14,515 peopleA3.4 years of area income·Overall D · #160 of 187
39Bay MinetteBaldwin County · 8,555 peopleA2.6 years of area income·Overall C− · #121 of 187
40RoanokeRandolph County · 5,440 peopleA2.8 years of area income·Overall C− · #126 of 187
41OneontaBlount County · 7,022 peopleA−3.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #65 of 187
42BrentBibb County · 4,414 peopleA−2.7 years of area income·Overall D · #156 of 187
43MontevalloShelby County · 7,872 peopleA−3.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #20 of 187
44JemisonChilton County · 3,030 peopleA−3.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #128 of 187
45FayetteFayette County · 4,060 peopleA−2.8 years of area income·Overall C− · #130 of 187
46CitronelleMobile County · 3,897 peopleA−2.8 years of area income·Overall C− · #112 of 187
47ArabMarshall County · 9,061 peopleA−3.8 years of area income·Overall C+ · #69 of 187
48Grand Bayunincorporated, Mobile County · 3,553 peopleA−3.6 years of area income·Overall C · #88 of 187
49ClantonChilton County · 9,289 peopleA−3.1 years of area income·Overall D · #138 of 187
50La FayetteChambers County · 2,621 peopleA−2.6 years of area income·Overall D · #155 of 187
51HeadlandHenry County · 5,603 peopleA−4.0 years of area income·Overall B · #48 of 187
52OppCovington County · 6,738 peopleA−2.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #124 of 187
53TalladegaTalladega County · 14,840 peopleA−2.5 years of area income·Overall D− · #172 of 187
54RobertsdaleBaldwin County · 7,761 peopleA−3.4 years of area income·Overall C+ · #76 of 187
55Harvestunincorporated, Madison County · 5,955 peopleA−3.6 years of area income·Overall A · #8 of 187
56RainsvilleDeKalb County · 6,020 peopleA−4.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #29 of 187
57OzarkDale County · 14,269 peopleA−2.7 years of area income·Overall D− · #167 of 187
58TarrantJefferson County · 5,639 peopleA−1.1 years of area income·Overall D · #133 of 187
59Holtunincorporated, Tuscaloosa County · 3,629 peopleA−2.1 years of area income·Overall C− · #120 of 187
60Redlandunincorporated, Elmore County · 4,982 peopleA−5.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #17 of 187
61SheffieldColbert County · 9,416 peopleA−2.1 years of area income·Overall D · #151 of 187
62CentreCherokee County · 3,912 peopleA−4.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #129 of 187
63Ladoniaunincorporated, Russell County · 3,346 peopleA−1.7 years of area income·Overall C · #86 of 187
64Moores Millunincorporated, Madison County · 6,378 peopleA−3.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #38 of 187
65WinfieldMarion County · 4,842 peopleA−3.5 years of area income·Overall C · #83 of 187
66Fort PayneDeKalb County · 15,189 peopleA−4.0 years of area income·Overall C · #81 of 187
67TuscumbiaColbert County · 9,332 peopleB+3.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #39 of 187
68ChildersburgTalladega County · 4,571 peopleB+2.6 years of area income·Overall D · #137 of 187
69DecaturMorgan County · 58,056 peopleB+3.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #110 of 187
70LeedsJefferson County · 12,831 peopleB+3.5 years of area income·Overall C · #87 of 187
71WeaverCalhoun County · 3,289 peopleB+3.3 years of area income·Overall C · #99 of 187
72JacksonClarke County · 4,452 peopleB+2.9 years of area income·Overall D− · #174 of 187
73LanettChambers County · 6,781 peopleB+2.3 years of area income·Overall D− · #170 of 187
74TrianaMadison County · 5,244 peopleB+3.2 years of area income·Overall A · #11 of 187
75FlorenceLauderdale County · 42,581 peopleB+3.5 years of area income·Overall C · #92 of 187
76SylacaugaTalladega County · 12,055 peopleB+2.8 years of area income·Overall D · #154 of 187
77BessemerJefferson County · 24,984 peopleB+1.8 years of area income·Overall D− · #177 of 187
78PiedmontCalhoun County · 4,696 peopleB+2.9 years of area income·Overall C− · #115 of 187
79Choccoloccounincorporated, Calhoun County · 2,620 peopleB+4.8 years of area income·Overall B · #54 of 187
80Smiths StationLee County · 5,596 peopleB+4.6 years of area income·Overall C+ · #70 of 187
81Alexandriaunincorporated, Calhoun County · 3,475 peopleB+4.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #55 of 187
82MargaretSt. Clair County · 7,149 peopleB+3.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #43 of 187
83MoundvilleHale County · 3,628 peopleB+3.7 years of area income·Overall C · #85 of 187
84GlencoeEtowah County · 5,426 peopleB+3.9 years of area income·Overall B− · #56 of 187
85JacksonvilleCalhoun County · 14,400 peopleB+3.9 years of area income·Overall C+ · #79 of 187
86SpringvilleSt. Clair County · 5,597 peopleB+4.6 years of area income·Overall B · #51 of 187
87HeflinCleburne County · 3,572 peopleB+4.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #107 of 187
88HueytownJefferson County · 16,159 peopleB+2.3 years of area income·Overall D · #153 of 187
89DalevilleDale County · 4,971 peopleB+2.7 years of area income·Overall D · #158 of 187
90ColumbianaShelby County · 5,106 peopleB+4.2 years of area income·Overall B · #46 of 187
91GadsdenEtowah County · 33,367 peopleB+2.1 years of area income·Overall D− · #168 of 187
92FairfieldJefferson County · 9,483 peopleB+1.3 years of area income·Overall C− · #119 of 187
93HancevilleCullman County · 3,390 peopleB+3.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #62 of 187
94DadevilleTallapoosa County · 2,920 peopleB+8.7 years of area income·Overall D · #140 of 187
95PrichardMobile County · 18,825 peopleB+0.9 years of area income·Overall D− · #173 of 187
96OxfordCalhoun County · 22,199 peopleB+3.6 years of area income·Overall C · #96 of 187
97Meridianvilleunincorporated, Madison County · 11,150 peopleB+3.9 years of area income·Overall A · #13 of 187
98Holtvilleunincorporated, Elmore County · 5,158 peopleB+4.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #104 of 187
99AlbertvilleMarshall County · 23,710 peopleB+3.4 years of area income·Overall D · #139 of 187
100EvergreenConecuh County · 3,272 peopleB+3.0 years of area income·Overall D− · #176 of 187
101AdamsvilleJefferson County · 4,178 peopleB+1.9 years of area income·Overall C− · #122 of 187
102LincolnTalladega County · 8,110 peopleB+4.0 years of area income·Overall C− · #131 of 187
103Tillmans Cornerunincorporated, Mobile County · 17,677 peopleB+2.8 years of area income·Overall D · #148 of 187
104Muscle ShoalsColbert County · 17,666 peopleB+4.2 years of area income·Overall B · #49 of 187
105FultondaleJefferson County · 9,307 peopleB+3.2 years of area income·Overall C · #95 of 187
106AndalusiaCovington County · 8,763 peopleB+3.1 years of area income·Overall D · #147 of 187
107MidfieldJefferson County · 4,906 peopleB1.1 years of area income·Overall D · #144 of 187
108HuntsvilleMadison County · 233,627 peopleB3.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #61 of 187
109MonroevilleMonroe County · 5,758 peopleB3.4 years of area income·Overall D− · #162 of 187
110SilverhillBaldwin County · 2,529 peopleB3.7 years of area income·Overall C · #89 of 187
111KimberlyJefferson County · 4,858 peopleB4.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #32 of 187
112BrewtonEscambia County · 5,113 peopleB3.2 years of area income·Overall D · #135 of 187
113EnterpriseCoffee County · 31,211 peopleB3.0 years of area income·Overall C− · #114 of 187
114ChickasawMobile County · 6,166 peopleB1.9 years of area income·Overall D− · #180 of 187
115Emerald Mountainunincorporated, Elmore County · 3,535 peopleB5.0 years of area income·Overall A · #14 of 187
116Forestdaleunincorporated, Jefferson County · 9,742 peopleB2.4 years of area income·Overall C− · #125 of 187
117WetumpkaElmore County · 7,535 peopleB4.4 years of area income·Overall C− · #118 of 187
118LuverneCrenshaw County · 2,690 peopleB2.9 years of area income·Overall D · #150 of 187
119AnnistonCalhoun County · 20,930 peopleB2.6 years of area income·Overall D− · #181 of 187
120ValleyChambers County · 10,294 peopleB3.2 years of area income·Overall D− · #171 of 187
121Pell CitySt. Clair County · 14,320 peopleB4.0 years of area income·Overall D · #134 of 187
122Center PointJefferson County · 15,538 peopleB2.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #116 of 187
123Eagle Pointunincorporated, Shelby County · 3,110 peopleB6.9 years of area income·Overall A+ · #1 of 187
124MillbrookElmore County · 17,623 peopleB3.5 years of area income·Overall C− · #117 of 187
125EufaulaBarbour County · 12,437 peopleB3.8 years of area income·Overall D− · #183 of 187
126MoodySt. Clair County · 13,559 peopleB3.7 years of area income·Overall B− · #58 of 187
127GuntersvilleMarshall County · 9,394 peopleB4.8 years of area income·Overall C− · #108 of 187
128BirminghamJefferson County · 195,893 peopleB1.9 years of area income·Overall D− · #164 of 187
129PrattvilleAutauga County · 40,582 peopleB4.2 years of area income·Overall C+ · #73 of 187
130GreenvilleButler County · 6,912 peopleB2.5 years of area income·Overall D− · #184 of 187
131CullmanCullman County · 20,799 peopleB4.2 years of area income·Overall C+ · #72 of 187
132MontgomeryMontgomery County · 195,300 peopleB2.3 years of area income·Overall D · #152 of 187
133GardendaleJefferson County · 16,425 peopleB3.8 years of area income·Overall C+ · #67 of 187
134Valley GrandeDallas County · 3,903 peopleB5.2 years of area income·Overall D− · #179 of 187
135Theodoreunincorporated, Mobile County · 4,964 peopleB−3.4 years of area income·Overall D · #157 of 187
136OpelikaLee County · 35,765 peopleB−4.9 years of area income·Overall C− · #127 of 187
137Grayson Valleyunincorporated, Jefferson County · 6,077 peopleB−2.4 years of area income·Overall C− · #113 of 187
138SouthsideEtowah County · 9,718 peopleB−5.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #25 of 187
139Lake ViewTuscaloosa County · 3,969 peopleB−4.9 years of area income·Overall B · #50 of 187
140AlabasterShelby County · 34,748 peopleB−4.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #22 of 187
141ThomasvilleClarke County · 3,545 peopleB−3.0 years of area income·Overall D− · #163 of 187
142CaleraShelby County · 18,992 peopleB−3.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #40 of 187
143OdenvilleSt. Clair County · 6,023 peopleB−3.6 years of area income·Overall C · #80 of 187
144SatsumaMobile County · 6,851 peopleB−4.1 years of area income·Overall B · #44 of 187
145ScottsboroJackson County · 16,123 peopleB−4.1 years of area income·Overall C− · #106 of 187
146MarionPerry County · 2,602 peopleB−3.4 years of area income·Overall D− · #175 of 187
147DothanHouston County · 72,060 peopleB−3.5 years of area income·Overall D− · #161 of 187
148NorthportTuscaloosa County · 31,648 peopleB−4.7 years of area income·Overall C− · #103 of 187
149Spanish FortBaldwin County · 11,203 peopleB−4.9 years of area income·Overall B+ · #41 of 187
150ChelseaShelby County · 17,716 peopleB−5.4 years of area income·Overall A · #12 of 187
151MadisonMadison County · 67,968 peopleB−4.4 years of area income·Overall A · #3 of 187
152AtmoreEscambia County · 8,360 peopleB−3.3 years of area income·Overall D− · #186 of 187
153Phenix CityRussell County · 38,344 peopleB−3.6 years of area income·Overall D · #159 of 187
154PinsonJefferson County · 7,830 peopleB−3.0 years of area income·Overall D · #146 of 187
155Union SpringsBullock County · 3,091 peopleB−3.6 years of area income·Overall D− · #187 of 187
156FoleyBaldwin County · 30,354 peopleB−3.8 years of area income·Overall C+ · #75 of 187
157DaphneBaldwin County · 31,396 peopleB−4.2 years of area income·Overall A− · #30 of 187
158Pleasant GroveJefferson County · 9,346 peopleB−3.1 years of area income·Overall C− · #111 of 187
159PelhamShelby County · 25,664 peopleB−4.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #28 of 187
160McCallaunincorporated, Jefferson County · 13,253 peopleB−3.9 years of area income·Overall C+ · #78 of 187
161TuscaloosaTuscaloosa County · 114,316 peopleC+4.0 years of area income·Overall D · #143 of 187
162HelenaShelby County · 23,388 peopleC+5.1 years of area income·Overall A− · #15 of 187
163SelmaDallas County · 16,077 peopleC+2.1 years of area income·Overall D− · #185 of 187
164LoxleyBaldwin County · 6,131 peopleC+3.7 years of area income·Overall C− · #102 of 187
165SemmesMobile County · 6,259 peopleC+4.1 years of area income·Overall D− · #178 of 187
166ClayJefferson County · 10,198 peopleC+3.5 years of area income·Overall D · #132 of 187
167SaralandMobile County · 16,652 peopleC+4.1 years of area income·Overall B− · #64 of 187
168IrondaleJefferson County · 13,545 peopleC+4.0 years of area income·Overall C− · #105 of 187
169TroyPike County · 18,022 peopleC+3.7 years of area income·Overall D · #149 of 187
170MobileMobile County · 200,824 peopleC+3.3 years of area income·Overall D− · #169 of 187
171Meadowbrookunincorporated, Shelby County · 9,117 peopleC+5.9 years of area income·Overall A · #9 of 187
172TrussvilleJefferson County · 27,273 peopleC+5.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #21 of 187
173DemopolisMarengo County · 6,641 peopleC3.5 years of area income·Overall D− · #165 of 187
174LivingstonSumter County · 3,242 peopleC4.1 years of area income·Overall D− · #182 of 187
175Rainbow CityEtowah County · 10,406 peopleC4.6 years of area income·Overall C · #94 of 187
176Highland Lakesunincorporated, Shelby County · 5,866 peopleC8.4 years of area income·Overall A− · #18 of 187
177Orange BeachBaldwin County · 8,798 peopleC8.7 years of area income·Overall B · #53 of 187
178Gulf ShoresBaldwin County · 17,394 peopleC5.7 years of area income·Overall C+ · #74 of 187
179Pike RoadMontgomery County · 11,899 peopleC6.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #33 of 187
180Indian Springs VillageShelby County · 2,553 peopleC8.4 years of area income·Overall A · #7 of 187
181AuburnLee County · 85,113 peopleC6.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #26 of 187
182FairhopeBaldwin County · 26,625 peopleC6.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #59 of 187
183HooverJefferson County · 93,550 peopleC−6.1 years of area income·Overall A− · #19 of 187
184Brook Highlandunincorporated, Shelby County · 8,146 peopleC−6.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #16 of 187
185Vestavia HillsJefferson County · 38,306 peopleD7.9 years of area income·Overall A · #10 of 187
186HomewoodJefferson County · 28,118 peopleD8.0 years of area income·Overall B+ · #36 of 187
187Mountain BrookJefferson County · 21,661 peopleD14.7 years of area income·Overall A · #6 of 187
Quick answers

Questions people ask

What is the most affordable town in Alabama?

Tuskegee (Macon County) ranks first on cost of living among 187 towns, with an A+; New Hope and Elba follow.

How are these towns ranked?

The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a cost of living grade (187 in Alabama). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Alabama page.

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More Alabama lists

Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.

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