What is the cost of living in Alabaster, AL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Alabaster has an overall cost of living index of 100, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alabama, Alabaster has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Alabama's index of 91.
The standard of living in Alabaster ranks as #95 most affordable out of the 116 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Alabaster ranks as the #21 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.
For more reading on life in Alabaster, check out:
Alabaster Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Alabaster. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Alabaster is 96.
The Groceries index in Alabaster is 96.
The Health index in Alabaster is 104.
The Housing index in Alabaster is 99.
The Transportation index in Alabaster is 98.
The Utilities index in Alabaster is 94.
| Living Expense | Alabaster | Alabama | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 104 | 74 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 95 | 100 |
Alabaster Cost Of Living Compared To Alabama Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Alabaster Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Alabaster, AL Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Alabama, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Alabaster is $303,749.
The Median Rent in Alabaster is $1,372.
The Median Income in Alabaster is $91,357.
The Home Value To Income in Alabaster is 3.3x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Alabaster is 0.18x.
Alabaster, AL Costs By Category
Detailed Alabaster Services costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Alabaster Groceries costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Alabaster Health costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Alabaster Transportation costs vs. Alabama
Alabaster SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Alabaster
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Alabaster. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Hoover, AL has a cost of living index of 109, 1.1x Alabaster.
Homewood, AL has a cost of living index of 124, 1.2x Alabaster.
Bessemer, AL has a cost of living index of 86, 0.9x Alabaster.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Alabaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover, AL | 92,642 | 109 | 1.1x |
| Homewood, AL | 27,829 | 124 | 1.2x |
| Bessemer, AL | 25,400 | 86 | 0.9x |
| Pelham, AL | 24,827 | 100 | 1.0x |
| Mountain Brook, AL | 22,029 | 162 | 1.6x |
| Helena, AL | 21,769 | 102 | 1.0x |
| Calera, AL | 17,714 | 98 | 1.0x |
| Hueytown, AL | 16,414 | 87 | 0.9x |
| Chelsea, AL | 16,260 | 107 | 1.1x |
| Fairfield, AL | 9,728 | 85 | 0.8x |
