Cost of Living in Auburn, AL
Population 78,738 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
With a median age of 26 and an unusually high bachelor's-degree rate of 32%, Auburn is shaped heavily by its student population. That also means median household incomes of $56,123 skew low — the count includes students — while working-household figures run considerably higher. A poverty rate near 26% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Geographically, Auburn is about 35 miles west of Columbus, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 88% higher than Columbus' $182,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Auburn
The median home value in Auburn is $342,400 — 12% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,034/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,123/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Alabama's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 9.2%. Overall, Auburn has a cost of living index of 99 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Auburn, AL?
Auburn has a cost index of 99 (100 = national average). It is 1% below the national average.
What is average rent in Auburn, AL?
The median gross rent in Auburn is $1,034 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Auburn?
The median home value in Auburn is $342,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Auburn?
The median household income in Auburn is $56,123 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Auburn, AL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Auburn is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Auburn, AL affordable?
Auburn is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 99 (100 = US average).
Auburn at a Glance
- Population
- 78,738
- Median Income
- $56,123
- Home Value
- $342,400
- Median Rent
- $1,034/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.8%
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Alabama Rankings
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