What is the cost of living in Decatur, AL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Decatur has an overall cost of living index of 87, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alabama, Decatur has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Alabama's index of 91.
The standard of living in Decatur ranks as #25 most affordable out of the 116 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Decatur ranks as the #91 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.
For more reading on life in Decatur, check out:
Decatur Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Decatur. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Decatur is 97.
The Groceries index in Decatur is 99.
The Health index in Decatur is 78.
The Housing index in Decatur is 92.
The Transportation index in Decatur is 99.
The Utilities index in Decatur is 93.
| Living Expense | Decatur | Alabama | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 87 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 78 | 74 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 95 | 100 |
Decatur 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 Decatur Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Decatur, 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 Decatur is $224,155.
The Median Rent in Decatur is $896.
The Median Income in Decatur is $61,563.
The Home Value To Income in Decatur is 3.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Decatur is 0.17x.
Decatur, AL Costs By Category
Detailed Decatur Services costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Decatur Groceries costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Decatur Health costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Decatur Transportation costs vs. Alabama
Decatur SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Decatur
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Decatur. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Huntsville, AL has a cost of living index of 96, 1.1x Decatur.
Madison, AL has a cost of living index of 105, 1.2x Decatur.
Florence, AL has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Decatur.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Decatur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 222,791 | 96 | 1.1x |
| Madison, AL | 60,106 | 105 | 1.2x |
| Florence, AL | 41,701 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Athens, AL | 29,002 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Albertville, AL | 22,813 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Cullman, AL | 19,319 | 90 | 1.0x |
| Muscle Shoals, AL | 16,951 | 90 | 1.0x |
| Hartselle, AL | 15,847 | 91 | 1.0x |
| Pulaski, TN | 8,285 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Fayetteville, TN | 7,057 | 89 | 1.0x |
