Cost of Living in Brook Highland, AL

Population 8,428 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

122
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Brook Highland a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $401,000. An unemployment rate of 0.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Brook Highland sits roughly 9 miles southeast of Birmingham — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 189% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 132
Rent 107

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Brook Highland

The median home value in Brook Highland is $401,100 — 32% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,407/month, 7% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,143/year is 17% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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, Brook Highland has a cost of living index of 122 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$401,100
32% above avg
Median Rent
$1,407/mo
7% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$646
1 BR
$688
2 BR
$857
3 BR
$1,132
4 BR
$1,309
Owner-occupied 46.1%
Renter-occupied 53.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,407
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,021/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.2 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.5%
Carpooled
10.7%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
14.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 9.2%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 5.2%
Property Tax 0.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$87,143
17% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,695
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
85% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor Force Participation
79.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 40.4%
Graduate degree 16.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.6
Male median age 36.2
Female median age 37.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
85.5%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
242
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brook Highland, AL?

Brook Highland has a cost index of 122 (100 = national average). It is 22% above the national average.

What is average rent in Brook Highland, AL?

The median gross rent in Brook Highland is $1,407 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brook Highland?

The median home value in Brook Highland is $401,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Brook Highland?

The median household income in Brook Highland is $87,143 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brook Highland, AL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brook Highland is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Brook Highland, AL affordable?

Brook Highland is above average in cost of living, with an index of 122 — about 22% higher than the national average.

Brook Highland at a Glance

Population
8,428
Median Income
$87,143
Home Value
$401,100
Median Rent
$1,407/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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