Muscle Shoals, AL Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-15

Cost Of Living In Muscle Shoals, AL Summary

Cost of living in Muscle Shoals 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 Muscle Shoals 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 Muscle Shoals is 89, with 100 being the average.

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

  • Muscle Shoals ranks as the #50 cheapest in Alabama out of 115.

  • Muscle Shoals ranks as the #1,460 cheapest out of 6,412 in the US.

  • The median home value in Muscle Shoals is $154,600.

  • The median income in Muscle Shoals is $61,772.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
89
Muscle Shoals's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Muscle Shoals, AL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Muscle Shoals has an overall cost of living index of 89, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Alabama, Muscle Shoals has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Alabama's index of 88.

The standard of living in Muscle Shoals ranks as #50 most affordable out of the 115 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Muscle Shoals ranks as the #65 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.

For more reading on life in Muscle Shoals, check out:

50 out of 115
In Alabama
1,460 out of 6,412
In America

Muscle Shoals Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama

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

  • The Services index in Muscle Shoals is 95.

  • The Groceries index in Muscle Shoals is 94.

  • The Health index in Muscle Shoals is 78.

  • The Housing index in Muscle Shoals is 74.

  • The Transportation index in Muscle Shoals is 92.

  • The Utilities index in Muscle Shoals is 99.

Living Expense Muscle Shoals Alabama National Average
Overall 89 88 100
Services 95 95 100
Groceries 94 97 100
Health 78 88 100
Housing 74 69 100
Transportation 92 90 100
Utilities 99 101 100
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Muscle Shoals Cost of Living Vs. AL

Muscle Shoals, 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 2017-2021. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Muscle Shoals is $154,600.

  • The Median Rent in Muscle Shoals is $882.

  • The Median Income in Muscle Shoals is $61,772.

  • The Home Value To Income in Muscle Shoals is 2.5x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Muscle Shoals is 0.17x.

Statistic Muscle Shoals Alabama United States
Median Home Value $154,600 $157,100 $244,900
Median Rent $882 $852 $1,163
Median Income $61,772 $54,943 $69,021
Home Value To Income 2.5x 2.9x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.17x 0.19x 0.2x
Search Homes For Sale In Muscle Shoals, AL
$154,600
Median Home Value
$882
Median Rent
$61,772
Median Income

Muscle Shoals, AL Costs By Category

Detailed Muscle Shoals Services Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Muscle Shoals Alabama
Shampoo $1.2 $1.06
Movie $13.69 $10.68
Bowling $15.0 $14.67
Haircut $14.55 $18.62
Beauty Salon $36.68 $39.05

Detailed Muscle Shoals Groceries Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Muscle Shoals Alabama
Ground Beef $2.93 $4.22
Fried Chicken $1.52 $1.39
Milk $1.63 $2.05
Potatoes $2.94 $3.29
Pizza $9.64 $10.62
Beer $9.55 $9.38
Toothpaste $1.9 $2.34

Detailed Muscle Shoals Health Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Muscle Shoals Alabama
Optometrist $75.63 $108.57
Doctor $71.33 $116.17
Dentist $79.2 $99.13

Detailed Muscle Shoals Transportation Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Muscle Shoals Alabama
Gasoline $2.04 $2.22
Tire Balancing $46.47 $50.07

Detailed Muscle Shoals Utilities Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Muscle Shoals Alabama
All Electricity $160.98 $167.67
Phone $181.81 $175.64

Muscle Shoals SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
8
Safety
N/A
Amenities
8
Education
7
Commute
9

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Muscle Shoals

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

  • Decatur, AL has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Muscle Shoals.

  • Madison, AL has a cost of living index of 106, 1.2x Muscle Shoals.

  • Florence, AL has a cost of living index of 86, 1.0x Muscle Shoals.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Muscle Shoals
Decatur, AL 57,303 88 1.0x
Madison, AL 55,551 106 1.2x
Florence, AL 39,709 86 1.0x
Athens, AL 25,213 90 1.0x
Hartselle, AL 15,308 87 1.0x
Lawrenceburg, TN 11,460 81 0.9x
Russellville, AL 10,691 83 0.9x
Sheffield, AL 9,305 80 0.9x
Tuscumbia, AL 8,977 85 1.0x
Pulaski, TN 8,163 83 0.9x

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