Cost of Living in Fultondale, AL

Population 9,753 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Fultondale stay well under national norms: a median home value of $182,000 against median household incomes of $69,127 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Alabama.

Geographically, Fultondale sits roughly 6 miles north of Birmingham. Median home values run roughly 31% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 92

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

About the Cost of Living in Fultondale

The median home value in Fultondale is $181,900 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,214/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,127/year is 7% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 74.3°F and lows of 53.6°F, with about 1.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Fultondale has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$181,900
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$104,634
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,214/mo
8% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,366/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5x
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 65.9%
Renter-occupied 34.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,214
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,828/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
26.7 min
1% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.8%
Carpooled
5.9%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
15.8%

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
$69,127
7% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,388
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
17% below avg
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Labor Force Participation
67.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.3%
Graduate degree 13.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.5
Male median age 31.3
Female median age 39.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
74.3°F
Avg Low
53.6°F
Annual Precip
56.6"
Annual Snowfall
1.4"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 555967758288919186766557
Low °F 353845526169727165544338
Precip" 5.034.955.665.084.914.785.424.354.003.344.234.87
Snow" 0.40.30.50.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.2

💨 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 Fultondale, AL?

Fultondale has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fultondale, AL?

The median gross rent in Fultondale is $1,214 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fultondale?

The median home value in Fultondale is $181,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fultondale?

The median household income in Fultondale is $69,127 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fultondale, AL?

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

Is Fultondale, AL affordable?

Yes, Fultondale is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Fultondale?

Fultondale has average high temperatures of 74.3°F and average lows of 53.6°F. Annual precipitation is 56.6". Average annual snowfall is 1.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fultondale at a Glance

Population
9,753
Median Income
$69,127
Home Value
$181,900
Median Rent
$1,214/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
74.3°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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