What is the cost of living in Pelham, AL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Pelham has an overall cost of living index of 100, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alabama, Pelham has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Alabama's index of 91.
The standard of living in Pelham ranks as #95 most affordable out of the 116 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Pelham ranks as the #21 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.
For more reading on life in Pelham, check out:
Pelham Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Pelham. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Pelham is 95.
The Groceries index in Pelham is 95.
The Health index in Pelham is 112.
The Housing index in Pelham is 100.
The Transportation index in Pelham is 100.
The Utilities index in Pelham is 93.
| Living Expense | Pelham | Alabama | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 112 | 74 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 95 | 100 |
Pelham 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 Pelham Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Pelham, 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 Pelham is $323,686.
The Median Rent in Pelham is $1,577.
The Median Income in Pelham is $101,094.
The Home Value To Income in Pelham is 3.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Pelham is 0.19x.
Pelham, AL Costs By Category
Detailed Pelham Services costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Pelham Groceries costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Pelham Health costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Pelham Transportation costs vs. Alabama
Pelham SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Pelham
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Pelham. 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, 0.9x Pelham.
Hoover, AL has a cost of living index of 109, 1.1x Pelham.
Vestavia Hills, AL has a cost of living index of 125, 1.2x Pelham.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Pelham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 198,173 | 90 | 0.9x |
| Hoover, AL | 92,642 | 109 | 1.1x |
| Vestavia Hills, AL | 38,616 | 125 | 1.2x |
| Alabaster, AL | 33,917 | 100 | 1.0x |
| Homewood, AL | 27,829 | 124 | 1.2x |
| Bessemer, AL | 25,400 | 86 | 0.9x |
| 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 |
