Cost of Living in Center Point, AL

Population 16,125 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Center Point is a smaller Alabama community of around 16000 residents, where median household incomes of $52,401 and housing costs ($130,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 10.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 10 miles northeast of Birmingham, Center Point falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Birmingham's $139,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 43
Rent 88

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

About the Cost of Living in Center Point

The median home value in Center Point is $130,200 — 57% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,161/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,401/year is 30% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.1%, above 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, Center Point has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$130,200
57% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$149,044
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,161/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,322/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.3x
Favors buying
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 56.4%
Renter-occupied 43.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,161
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,775/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
30.1 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.3%
Carpooled
12.9%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
6.0%

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
$52,401
30% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,591
Unemployment Rate
10.1%
109% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.6%
Labor Force Participation
64.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.3%
Graduate degree 5.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.3
Male median age 33
Female median age 33.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 61 — Moderate
20%
Good air days/yr
255
Max AQI recorded
312
PM2.5 days
53
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Center Point, AL?

Center Point has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Center Point, AL?

The median gross rent in Center Point is $1,161 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Center Point?

The median home value in Center Point is $130,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Center Point?

The median household income in Center Point is $52,401 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Center Point, AL?

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

Is Center Point, AL affordable?

Yes, Center Point is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

Center Point at a Glance

Population
16,125
Median Income
$52,401
Home Value
$130,200
Median Rent
$1,161/mo
Unemployment
10.1%
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Alabama →
🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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