Cost of Living in Fort Payne, AL
Population 14,886 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Fort Payne a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $158,000. A poverty rate near 23% 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.
Located 50 miles southwest of Chattanooga, Fort Payne falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 39% lower than Chattanooga's $259,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Fort Payne
The median home value in Fort Payne is $158,100 — 48% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $670/month, 49% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,623/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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, Fort Payne has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% 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
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Fort Payne, AL?
Fort Payne has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.
What is average rent in Fort Payne, AL?
The median gross rent in Fort Payne is $670 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Fort Payne?
The median home value in Fort Payne is $158,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Fort Payne?
The median household income in Fort Payne is $48,623 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Fort Payne, AL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fort Payne is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Fort Payne, AL affordable?
Yes, Fort Payne is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.
Fort Payne at a Glance
- Population
- 14,886
- Median Income
- $48,623
- Home Value
- $158,100
- Median Rent
- $670/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.0%
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
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Alabama Rankings
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