If you’re looking for the cheapest places to live in Alabama, you’ve come to the right spot.
The Heart of Dixie is home to some of the most affordable places in the country.
But, with the cost of living rising across Alabama, we thought it would be a great idea to give Alabamans, and those looking to move there, a list of the most affordable places to live in Alabama for 2026.
How do you determine the most affordable places to live in Alabama? You use Saturday Night Science to consult the latest Census data on the cost of living metrics like home prices and rents.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | FAQs | Summary
The 10 most affordable places to live in Alabama
The most affordable place to live in Alabama? The most affordable place to live in Alabama is Tuskegee.
The folks in the most affordable Alabama places know that the less they spend on their cost of living, the more they have to spend on swamp boat tours in Spanish Fort, the Birmingham Zoo, or Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure in Bessemer.
Check out some more reading about Alabama and the cheapest places in the country:
The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Alabama For 2026
/10
Population: 8,938
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 79
Median Income: $38,000
Median Home Price: $91,298
Median Rent: $757
Tuskegee is a city in Macon County, Alabama, United States. It was founded and laid out in 1833 by General Thomas Simpson Woodward, a Creek War veteran under Andrew Jackson, and made the county seat that year. It was incorporated in 1843. It is also the largest city in Macon County. At the 2010 census the population was 9,865, down from 11,846 in 2000.
More on Tuskegee: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 18,961
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 80
Median Income: $36,588
Median Home Price: $57,931
Median Rent: $922
Prichard, located in the heart of Mobile County within Alabama, has one of the lowest costs of living in the state and country. The median home value in Prichard is $57,931, and the median rent is $922, the two most significant drivers of cost.
Statewide, it also has some of the lowest costs associated with groceries, healthcare, and utilities. Prichard is also close to cheap things to do like exploring the 1,100-acre Chickasabogue Park or the Battleship USS Alabama.
More on Prichard: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 14,760
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 82
Median Income: $44,198
Median Home Price: $143,575
Median Rent: $776
Talladega, located in the central region of Talladega County about 50 miles from Birmingham, rocks the rankings for cheapest places to live in Alabama. The overall cost of living is 9 points better than the state average. Which means you’ll have more to spend on the famous Talladega Nights.
Or, if you’re more of a day person, CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park is nearby.
More on Talladega: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 33,374
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 83
Median Income: $40,345
Median Home Price: $114,157
Median Rent: $808
Gadsden rank as the fourth most affordable city in Alabama. Home prices are a god send in Gadsden where they average $114,157.
Located on the Coosa River, just an hour’s drive from Birmingham, it scored well for low transportation and service costs. It has an overall cost of living that is 8.8% lower than the state average.
Gadsden has free access to Noccalula Falls Park and the natural beauty of Neely Henry Lake.
More on Gadsden: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
There are a few neighborhoods that are not exactly the nicest but the schools are definitely good and it definitely has a relaxing atmosphere and shows off its southern charm
My favorite place to hang out at is the mall but there are a few things that you need too look out for like people who act out of place but you should always be fully alerted and aware of your surroundings
/10
Population: 5,775
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 83
Median Income: $59,215
Median Home Price: $141,963
Median Rent: $743
Alabama’s fifth most affordable place to live for 2026 is Attalla. Attalla is one of the city’s that made this list that is located closest to an airport.
Why is that important? Because when you save a bunch of money on your home purchase, you can use that money to take vacations from the nearby Northeast Alabama Regional Airport.
Attalla is the eighth cheapest place to buy a home relative to its median income in the state and offers an overall cost of living well below the national, and state, average.
More on Attalla: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 17,057
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $33,197
Median Home Price: $79,208
Median Rent: $713
In Central Alabama, Selma landed as the sixth most affordable city in AL for 2026. Its low 84 cost of living index is attributable to competitive housing costs, with a median home value ranked as the third lowest statewide.
In Selma, you can visit the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute or explore the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park while still saving on a solid-sized paycheck. The median income in the city is $33,197.
More on Selma: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 10,814
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $49,846
Median Home Price: $209,918
Median Rent: $663
Boaz is a city in Etowah and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 9,551. Boaz is known mainly for its outlet shops.
More on Boaz: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 6,922
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $54,871
Median Home Price: $172,640
Median Rent: $599
Hamilton’s claim to fame is that they are the home to the former Minnesota Vikings lineman Bookie Bolin. More relevant here, this city of 6,922 in Marion County is the eighth best place in Alabama if you are looking for affordable living.
Yes, the median income in Hamilton is $54,871, and the median home price is $172,640. For all of the economically savvy out there, we’re sure we can agree that this is a Hamilton win.
More on Hamilton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 6,814
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $42,357
Median Home Price: $123,280
Median Rent: $940
Looking for a charming and affordable place to call home? Consider Lanett, Alabama, located in the heart of the state. Despite its population of approximately 6,814, Lanett has a close-knit community feel and plenty of affordable activities for residents to enjoy.
One of the biggest draws to Lanett is its affordable housing. Compared to the state average, Lanett has significantly lower housing costs having the 11th cheapest homes and 47th cheapest rents in Alabama. The median home price is a budget-friendly $123,280, and renters can find places for as low as $940.
More on Lanett: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 6,709
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $41,347
Median Home Price: $118,903
Median Rent: $720
With a median home price of $118,903 and a cost of living that is 84% lower than the national average, Opp offers residents the opportunity to stretch their budget further. The town’s affordable housing market allows individuals and families to find homes at a fraction of the cost compared to many other areas in Alabama.
Opp boasts a strong median income of $41,347 and a low unemployment rate. The town’s affordability extends beyond housing, with everyday expenses like groceries, healthcare, and services remaining affordable.
More on Opp: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Cheapest places to live in Alabama FAQs
The county in Alabama with the lowest cost of living is DeKalb County. The average living wage in DeKalb County is $74,765 according to MIT data. DeKalb County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to Alabama as a whole. Childcare costs $8,562 a year in DeKalb County for two children compared to the Alabama average of $11,652. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $7,608 per year in DeKalb County compared to $9,794 on average in Alabama.
The cost of living in Alabama is 10.0% lower than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in Alabama is $80,777 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a Alabama household is $52,035.
The cheapest housing market in Alabama is Prichard. The average home value in Prichard is $66,100, the lowest in the state. The average home value in Alabama is $149,600, almost 2.3 times higher than Prichard.
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The county in Alabama with the lowest cost of living is DeKalb County. The average living wage in DeKalb County is $74,765 according to MIT data. DeKalb County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to Alabama as a whole. Childcare costs $8,562 a year in DeKalb County for two children compared to the Alabama average of $11,652. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $7,608 per year in DeKalb County compared to $9,794 on average in Alabama.
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Methodology: How we determined the most affordable places to live in the Heart of Dixie for 2026
Determining affordability for places in Alabama boils down to how much it costs to live here.
You need to understand your costs relative to what people in the rest of the state are paying.
With that logic in mind, we derived several cost of living statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2020-2024 for Alabama using Saturday Night Science. We indexed the cost of living statistics across the following categories:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Services
- Groceries
- Healthcare
- Utilities
These are then weighted together to produce an overall cost of living index where 100 is the United States average. Anything below 100 is relatively affordable. Anything over 100 is relatively expensive.
We applied the biggest weight to housing as it typically accounts for 25% or more of your budget. Additionally, housing costs are the highest variant cost across a state. We then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in Alabama to figure out which is the least expensive.
The “Cost of Living Index” allows you to rank all of the 105 places in Alabama that have more than 5,000 people from least expensive to most expensive. Any ties went to the larger city.
The place in Alabama with the lowest cost of living according to the data is Tuskegee.
We updated this article for 2026. This report reflects our eleventh time ranking the cheapest places to live in Alabama.
Alabama Affordabilility Summary
This is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in Alabama for 2026, if you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in Alabama.
The cheapest cities in Alabama are Tuskegee, Prichard, Talladega, Gadsden, Attalla, Selma, Boaz, Hamilton, Lanett, and Opp.
Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in Alabama according to the data:
- Mountain Brook
- Vestavia Hills
- Orange Beach
For more Alabama reading, check out:
Cheapest Places To Live In Alabama
| Rank | City | Population | Cost Of Living Index | Median Income | Home Prices | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuskegee | 8,938 | 79 | $38,000 | $91,298 | $757 |
| 2 | Prichard | 18,961 | 80 | $36,588 | $57,931 | $922 |
| 3 | Talladega | 14,760 | 82 | $44,198 | $143,575 | $776 |
| 4 | Gadsden | 33,374 | 83 | $40,345 | $114,157 | $808 |
| 5 | Attalla | 5,775 | 83 | $59,215 | $141,963 | $743 |
| 6 | Selma | 17,057 | 84 | $33,197 | $79,208 | $713 |
| 7 | Boaz | 10,814 | 84 | $49,846 | $209,918 | $663 |
| 8 | Hamilton | 6,922 | 84 | $54,871 | $172,640 | $599 |
| 9 | Lanett | 6,814 | 84 | $42,357 | $123,280 | $940 |
| 10 | Opp | 6,709 | 84 | $41,347 | $118,903 | $720 |
| 11 | Russellville | 10,799 | 85 | $58,231 | $178,141 | $685 |
| 12 | Fairfield | 9,728 | 85 | $48,456 | $93,495 | $1,008 |
| 13 | Andalusia | 8,766 | 85 | $42,611 | $170,024 | $730 |
| 14 | Chickasaw | 6,332 | 85 | $46,559 | $107,053 | $960 |
| 15 | Bessemer | 25,400 | 86 | $39,613 | $133,910 | $961 |
| 16 | Alexander City | 14,606 | 86 | $47,022 | $202,612 | $721 |
| 17 | Sylacauga | 12,309 | 86 | $50,017 | $166,280 | $773 |
| 18 | Sheffield | 9,340 | 86 | $39,733 | $133,841 | $829 |
| 19 | Tuscumbia | 9,115 | 86 | $59,143 | $196,274 | $748 |
| 20 | Bay Minette | 8,295 | 86 | $44,523 | $212,242 | $782 |
| 21 | Tallassee | 5,134 | 86 | $66,752 | $192,630 | $964 |
| 22 | Decatur | 57,361 | 87 | $61,563 | $224,155 | $896 |
| 23 | Hueytown | 16,414 | 87 | $62,784 | $163,400 | $1,304 |
| 24 | Scottsboro | 15,712 | 87 | $53,929 | $213,720 | $830 |
| 25 | Tarrant | 5,925 | 87 | $42,070 | $77,450 | $985 |
| 26 | Midfield | 5,045 | 87 | $52,755 | $82,421 | $1,244 |
| 27 | Florence | 41,701 | 88 | $52,174 | $210,214 | $820 |
| 28 | Phenix City | 38,499 | 88 | $50,053 | $207,715 | $967 |
| 29 | Albertville | 22,813 | 88 | $56,099 | $214,034 | $872 |
| 30 | Center Point | 15,914 | 88 | $56,417 | $152,329 | $1,218 |
| 31 | Ozark | 14,327 | 88 | $48,944 | $143,765 | $694 |
| 32 | Eufaula | 12,584 | 88 | $47,392 | $163,743 | $698 |
| 33 | Valley | 10,277 | 88 | $51,661 | $177,525 | $1,016 |
| 34 | Greenville | 7,163 | 88 | $40,822 | $116,098 | $730 |
| 35 | Montgomery | 197,494 | 89 | $56,811 | $151,228 | $1,089 |
| 36 | Anniston | 21,271 | 89 | $46,668 | $147,195 | $799 |
| 37 | Jacksonville | 14,437 | 89 | $51,814 | $211,263 | $820 |
| 38 | Arab | 8,679 | 89 | $64,333 | $241,411 | $718 |
| 39 | Oneonta | 6,971 | 89 | $53,980 | $213,539 | $638 |
| 40 | Demopolis | 6,908 | 89 | $34,802 | $152,100 | $692 |
| 41 | Roanoke | 5,336 | 89 | $47,105 | $148,369 | $666 |
| 42 | Brewton | 5,186 | 89 | $50,721 | $149,231 | $695 |
| 43 | Mobile | 203,416 | 90 | $53,558 | $194,563 | $1,068 |
| 44 | Birmingham | 198,173 | 90 | $46,051 | $135,870 | $1,107 |
| 45 | Opelika | 32,820 | 90 | $65,004 | $304,313 | $950 |
| 46 | Cullman | 19,319 | 90 | $61,224 | $261,636 | $925 |
| 47 | Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | 90 | $75,894 | $260,072 | $1,029 |
| 48 | Fort Payne | 14,927 | 90 | $47,479 | $203,034 | $679 |
| 49 | Clanton | 8,958 | 90 | $47,520 | $217,128 | $869 |
| 50 | Atmore | 8,334 | 90 | $38,862 | $154,609 | $777 |
| 51 | Rainsville | 5,702 | 90 | $74,046 | $227,372 | $519 |
| 52 | Dothan | 71,514 | 91 | $55,792 | $203,928 | $960 |
| 53 | Saraland | 16,404 | 91 | $61,509 | $233,993 | $1,060 |
| 54 | Hartselle | 15,847 | 91 | $76,290 | $246,208 | $804 |
| 55 | Jasper | 14,442 | 91 | $66,238 | $168,863 | $721 |
| 56 | Robertsdale | 7,194 | 91 | $59,152 | $267,052 | $996 |
| 57 | Southside | 9,483 | 92 | $76,487 | $269,900 | $1,184 |
| 58 | Montevallo | 7,556 | 92 | $56,626 | $248,376 | $956 |
| 59 | Wetumpka | 7,437 | 92 | $57,763 | $278,367 | $1,140 |
| 60 | Monroeville | 5,802 | 92 | $32,513 | $139,433 | $577 |
| 61 | Headland | 5,217 | 92 | $79,063 | $224,991 | $822 |
| 62 | Oxford | 22,063 | 93 | $74,268 | $195,937 | $925 |
| 63 | Troy | 17,716 | 93 | $50,717 | $181,784 | $922 |
| 64 | Millbrook | 17,189 | 93 | $70,313 | $218,705 | $1,111 |
| 65 | Lincoln | 7,305 | 93 | $57,145 | $229,657 | $919 |
| 66 | Semmes | 5,626 | 93 | $66,417 | $238,189 | $1,057 |
| 67 | Smiths Station | 5,496 | 93 | $64,669 | $280,274 | $1,012 |
| 68 | Glencoe | 5,353 | 93 | $68,517 | $207,534 | $736 |
| 69 | Moody | 13,488 | 94 | $86,627 | $259,874 | $1,553 |
| 70 | Rainbow City | 10,284 | 94 | $56,398 | $247,414 | $1,048 |
| 71 | Pinson | 7,832 | 94 | $76,410 | $216,703 | $1,509 |
| 72 | Enterprise | 29,505 | 95 | $73,125 | $202,764 | $1,098 |
| 73 | Athens | 29,002 | 95 | $69,922 | $307,880 | $899 |
| 74 | Leeds | 12,028 | 95 | $69,737 | $249,222 | $1,058 |
| 75 | Huntsville | 222,791 | 96 | $74,714 | $287,569 | $1,171 |
| 76 | Irondale | 13,464 | 96 | $72,343 | $289,626 | $1,320 |
| 77 | Pleasant Grove | 9,442 | 96 | $70,317 | $225,144 | $1,400 |
| 78 | Guntersville | 8,916 | 96 | $67,929 | $301,984 | $842 |
| 79 | Northport | 31,218 | 97 | $80,913 | $266,846 | $982 |
| 80 | Clay | 10,273 | 97 | $81,920 | $250,060 | $2,240 |
| 81 | Fultondale | 9,384 | 97 | $73,575 | $228,867 | $1,269 |
| 82 | Satsuma | 6,822 | 97 | $101,042 | $237,698 | $1,300 |
| 83 | Tuscaloosa | 111,038 | 98 | $51,464 | $228,947 | $1,055 |
| 84 | Calera | 17,714 | 98 | $87,194 | $254,700 | $1,601 |
| 85 | Pell City | 13,587 | 98 | $68,638 | $276,450 | $1,099 |
| 86 | Prattville | 39,482 | 99 | $81,337 | $262,195 | $1,313 |
| 87 | Alabaster | 33,917 | 100 | $91,357 | $303,749 | $1,372 |
| 88 | Pelham | 24,827 | 100 | $101,094 | $323,686 | $1,577 |
| 89 | Gardendale | 16,534 | 100 | $82,192 | $266,522 | $1,299 |
| 90 | Daphne | 29,453 | 102 | $87,250 | $326,736 | $1,388 |
| 91 | Helena | 21,769 | 102 | $115,139 | $363,042 | $1,574 |
| 92 | Auburn | 80,594 | 104 | $63,668 | $412,907 | $1,098 |
| 93 | Foley | 24,026 | 104 | $66,336 | $301,569 | $1,242 |
| 94 | Madison | 60,106 | 105 | $134,655 | $374,497 | $1,453 |
| 95 | Spanish Fort | 10,662 | 106 | $99,346 | $379,955 | $1,390 |
| 96 | Springville | 5,081 | 106 | $84,231 | $321,266 | $834 |
| 97 | Chelsea | 16,260 | 107 | $115,337 | $384,777 | $1,414 |
| 98 | Hoover | 92,642 | 109 | $109,253 | $437,227 | $1,457 |
| 99 | Trussville | 26,673 | 112 | $123,275 | $394,833 | $1,711 |
| 100 | Gulf Shores | 16,401 | 112 | $78,188 | $450,266 | $1,483 |