Forestdale, AL Cost Of Living

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Forestdale, AL Summary

Cost of living in Forestdale research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Forestdale is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Alabama, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Forestdale is 91, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Forestdale is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Forestdale ranks as the #55 cheapest in Alabama out of 119.

  • Forestdale ranks as the #1,347 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Forestdale is $170,058.

  • The median income in Forestdale is $57,145.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
91
Forestdale's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Forestdale, AL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Forestdale has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Alabama, Forestdale has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Alabama's index of 90.

The standard of living in Forestdale ranks as #55 most affordable out of the 119 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Forestdale ranks as the #64 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.

For more reading on life in Forestdale, check out:

55 out of 119
In Alabama
1,347 out of 6,489
In America

Forestdale Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Forestdale. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Forestdale is 97.

  • The Groceries index in Forestdale is 96.

  • The Health index in Forestdale is 96.

  • The Housing index in Forestdale is 69.

  • The Transportation index in Forestdale is 93.

  • The Utilities index in Forestdale is 108.

Living Expense Forestdale Alabama National Average
Overall 91 90 100
Services 97 97 100
Groceries 96 98 100
Health 96 86 100
Housing 69 74 100
Transportation 93 93 100
Utilities 108 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Forestdale Cost of Living Vs. AL

Forestdale, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Forestdale is $170,058.

  • The Median Rent in Forestdale is $1,094.

  • The Median Income in Forestdale is $57,145.

  • The Home Value To Income in Forestdale is 3.0x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Forestdale is 0.23x.

Statistic Forestdale Alabama United States
Median Home Value $170,058 $232,780 $303,400
Median Rent $1,094 $963 $1,348
Median Income $57,145 $62,027 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.0x 3.8x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.23x 0.19x 0.21x
$170,058
Median Home Value
$1,094
Median Rent
$57,145
Median Income

Forestdale, AL Costs By Category

Detailed Forestdale Services Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Forestdale Alabama
Shampoo $1.33 $1.28
Movie $12.54 $12.13
Bowling $16.37 $18
Haircut $20.07 $24.26
Beauty Salon $45.74 $45.56

Detailed Forestdale Groceries Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Forestdale Alabama
Ground Beef $6.01 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.66 $1.57
Milk $4.54 $4.67
Potatoes $5.23 $4.93
Pizza $10.99 $12.09
Beer $10.4 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.76 $3.7

Detailed Forestdale Health Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Forestdale Alabama
Optometrist $92.33 $125.68
Doctor $101.83 $135.78
Dentist $125.78 $113.29

Detailed Forestdale Transportation Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Forestdale Alabama
Gasoline $3.13 $3.46
Tire Balancing $54.52 $59.92

Detailed Forestdale Utilities Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Forestdale Alabama
All Electricity $219.4 $193.99
Phone $188.55 $192.25

Forestdale SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
8
Safety
N/A
Amenities
8
Education
8
Commute
6

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Forestdale

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Forestdale. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Birmingham, AL has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Forestdale.

  • Homewood, AL has a cost of living index of 123, 1.4x Forestdale.

  • Bessemer, AL has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Forestdale.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Forestdale
Birmingham, AL 199,322 90 1.0x
Homewood, AL 27,697 123 1.4x
Bessemer, AL 25,655 88 1.0x
Pelham, AL 24,510 104 1.1x
Hueytown, AL 16,541 91 1.0x
Center Point, AL 16,125 89 1.0x
Gardendale, AL 16,110 100 1.1x
Irondale, AL 13,462 96 1.1x
Leeds, AL 12,221 95 1.0x
Fairfield, AL 9,846 89 1.0x

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