Cost of Living in Fairfield, AL
Population 9,846 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Fairfield sits on the smaller end of the Alabama city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 30% 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, Fairfield sits roughly 8 miles southwest of Birmingham. Median home values run roughly 13% lower than Birmingham's $139,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Fairfield
The median home value in Fairfield is $120,100 — 61% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $997/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,492/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, 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, Fairfield has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.
Fairfield has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Fairfield, AL?
Fairfield has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.
What is average rent in Fairfield, AL?
The median gross rent in Fairfield is $997 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Fairfield?
The median home value in Fairfield is $120,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Fairfield?
The median household income in Fairfield is $48,492 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Fairfield, AL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fairfield is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Fairfield, AL affordable?
Yes, Fairfield is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.
Fairfield at a Glance
- Population
- 9,846
- Median Income
- $48,492
- Home Value
- $120,100
- Median Rent
- $997/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.8%
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Alabama Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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