Cost of Living in Lake View, AL

Population 4,238 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

87
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 Lake View a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $286,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Lake View sits roughly 25 miles east of Tuscaloosa. Median home values run roughly 21% higher than Tuscaloosa's $237,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 78

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake View

The median home value in Lake View is $285,700 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,022/month, 22% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $96,409/year is 29% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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%. Overall, Lake View has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$285,700
6% below avg
Median Rent
$1,022/mo
22% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3x
Favors renting
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 95.7%
Renter-occupied 4.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,022
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,636/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
39.0 min
44% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
90.1%
Carpooled
3.1%
Walked
1.8%
Work from home
4.6%

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
$96,409
29% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,608
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
85% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor Force Participation
63.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.9%
Graduate degree 12.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.1
Male median age 41.4
Female median age 37.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
69.9%
Good air days/yr
87
Max AQI recorded
253
PM2.5 days
112
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lake View, AL?

Lake View has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lake View, AL?

The median gross rent in Lake View is $1,022 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake View?

The median home value in Lake View is $285,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake View?

The median household income in Lake View is $96,409 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake View, AL?

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

Is Lake View, AL affordable?

Yes, Lake View is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

Lake View at a Glance

Population
4,238
Median Income
$96,409
Home Value
$285,700
Median Rent
$1,022/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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