What is the cost of living in Selma, AL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Selma has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alabama, Selma has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Alabama's index of 91.
The standard of living in Selma ranks as #8 most affordable out of the 116 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Selma ranks as the #108 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.
For more reading on life in Selma, check out:
Selma Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Selma. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Selma is 98.
The Groceries index in Selma is 98.
The Health index in Selma is 57.
The Housing index in Selma is 93.
The Transportation index in Selma is 98.
The Utilities index in Selma is 100.
| Living Expense | Selma | Alabama | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 57 | 74 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 95 | 100 |
Selma 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 Selma Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Selma, 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 Selma is $79,208.
The Median Rent in Selma is $713.
The Median Income in Selma is $33,197.
The Home Value To Income in Selma is 2.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Selma is 0.26x.
Selma, AL Costs By Category
Detailed Selma Services costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Selma Groceries costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Selma Health costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Selma Transportation costs vs. Alabama
Selma SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Selma
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Selma. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Montgomery, AL has a cost of living index of 89, 1.1x Selma.
Prattville, AL has a cost of living index of 99, 1.2x Selma.
Millbrook, AL has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x Selma.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Selma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | 197,494 | 89 | 1.1x |
| Prattville, AL | 39,482 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Millbrook, AL | 17,189 | 93 | 1.1x |
