Rainbow City, AL Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Rainbow City, AL Summary

Cost of living in Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City is 95, with 100 being the average.

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

  • Rainbow City ranks as the #80 cheapest in Alabama out of 119.

  • Rainbow City ranks as the #1,954 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Rainbow City is $243,283.

  • The median income in Rainbow City is $59,659.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
95
Rainbow City's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Rainbow City, AL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Rainbow City has an overall cost of living index of 95, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Alabama, Rainbow City has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Alabama's index of 90.

The standard of living in Rainbow City ranks as #80 most affordable out of the 119 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Rainbow City ranks as the #39 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.

For more reading on life in Rainbow City, check out:

80 out of 119
In Alabama
1,954 out of 6,489
In America

Rainbow City Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama

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

  • The Services index in Rainbow City is 91.

  • The Groceries index in Rainbow City is 94.

  • The Health index in Rainbow City is 79.

  • The Housing index in Rainbow City is 87.

  • The Transportation index in Rainbow City is 93.

  • The Utilities index in Rainbow City is 123.

Living Expense Rainbow City Alabama National Average
Overall 95 90 100
Services 91 97 100
Groceries 94 98 100
Health 79 86 100
Housing 87 74 100
Transportation 93 93 100
Utilities 123 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Rainbow City Cost of Living Vs. AL

Rainbow City, 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 Rainbow City is $243,283.

  • The Median Rent in Rainbow City is $998.

  • The Median Income in Rainbow City is $59,659.

  • The Home Value To Income in Rainbow City is 4.1x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Rainbow City is 0.2x.

Statistic Rainbow City Alabama United States
Median Home Value $243,283 $232,780 $303,400
Median Rent $998 $963 $1,348
Median Income $59,659 $62,027 $78,538
Home Value To Income 4.1x 3.8x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.19x 0.21x
$243,283
Median Home Value
$998
Median Rent
$59,659
Median Income

Rainbow City, AL Costs By Category

Detailed Rainbow City Services Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Rainbow City Alabama
Shampoo $1.28 $1.28
Movie $11.49 $12.13
Bowling $16.5 $18
Haircut $16.56 $24.26
Beauty Salon $35.56 $45.56

Detailed Rainbow City Groceries Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Rainbow City Alabama
Ground Beef $5.17 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.67 $1.57
Milk $4.56 $4.67
Potatoes $5.4 $4.93
Pizza $10.59 $12.09
Beer $10.17 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.67 $3.7

Detailed Rainbow City Health Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Rainbow City Alabama
Optometrist $83.34 $125.68
Doctor $98.98 $135.78
Dentist $81.53 $113.29

Detailed Rainbow City Transportation Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Rainbow City Alabama
Gasoline $3.07 $3.46
Tire Balancing $59.63 $59.92

Detailed Rainbow City Utilities Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Rainbow City Alabama
All Electricity $270.14 $193.99
Phone $188.01 $192.25

Rainbow City SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
7
Affordability
6
Diversity
8
Safety
8.5
Amenities
6
Education
8
Commute
8

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