Cost of Living in Grayson Valley, AL

Population 5,882 · 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

Under 25,000 residents gives Grayson Valley a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $129,000. Around 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 12 miles northeast of Birmingham, Grayson Valley falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Birmingham's $139,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 42
Rent 88

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

About the Cost of Living in Grayson Valley

The median home value in Grayson Valley is $128,800 — 58% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,158/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,354/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.3%, 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, Grayson Valley has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$128,800
58% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$291,131
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,158/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,345/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 72.5%
Renter-occupied 27.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,158
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,772/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
29.3 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.5%
Carpooled
4.5%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
9.6%

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
$60,354
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,370
Unemployment Rate
6.3%
31% above avg
Poverty Rate
22.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.3%
Graduate degree 13.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.9
Male median age 21.7
Female median age 36

💨 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 Grayson Valley, AL?

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

What is average rent in Grayson Valley, AL?

The median gross rent in Grayson Valley is $1,158 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Grayson Valley?

The median home value in Grayson Valley is $128,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Grayson Valley?

The median household income in Grayson Valley is $60,354 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Grayson Valley, AL?

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

Is Grayson Valley, AL affordable?

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

Grayson Valley at a Glance

Population
5,882
Median Income
$60,354
Home Value
$128,800
Median Rent
$1,158/mo
Unemployment
6.3%
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Alabama →
🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs