Cost of Living in Leeds, AL

Population 12,221 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

72
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Leeds stay well under national norms: a median home value of $220,000 against median household incomes of $71,672 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Alabama. An unemployment rate of 1.1% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Leeds sits roughly 13 miles east of Birmingham — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 59% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 72
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Leeds

The median home value in Leeds is $220,400 — 28% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $945/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,672/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.1%, 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, Leeds has a cost of living index of 72 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$220,400
28% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$245,809
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$945/mo
28% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,641/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4x
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 73.1%
Renter-occupied 26.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$945
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,559/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
28.9 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.3%
Carpooled
11.7%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
7.1%

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
$71,672
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,994
Unemployment Rate
1.1%
77% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.1%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.1
Male median age 39.9
Female median age 40.3

💨 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 Leeds, AL?

Leeds has a cost index of 72 (100 = national average). It is 28% below the national average.

What is average rent in Leeds, AL?

The median gross rent in Leeds is $945 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Leeds?

The median home value in Leeds is $220,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Leeds?

The median household income in Leeds is $71,672 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Leeds, AL?

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

Is Leeds, AL affordable?

Yes, Leeds is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 72 — about 28% below the US national average of 100.

Leeds at a Glance

Population
12,221
Median Income
$71,672
Home Value
$220,400
Median Rent
$945/mo
Unemployment
1.1%
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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