Cost of Living in Meadowbrook, AL

Population 8,939 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

116
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Meadowbrook sits on the smaller end of the Alabama city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Meadowbrook sits roughly 11 miles southeast of Birmingham — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 181% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 128
Rent 97

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

About the Cost of Living in Meadowbrook

The median home value in Meadowbrook is $390,100 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,276/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $145,464/year is 95% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, 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, Meadowbrook has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$390,100
28% above avg
Median Rent
$1,276/mo
3% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.5x
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 90.5%
Renter-occupied 9.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,276
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,890/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
27.5 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.5%
Carpooled
3.5%
Work from home
20.0%

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
$145,464
95% above avg
Per Capita Income
$63,748
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor Force Participation
72.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 43.7%
Graduate degree 28.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.2
Male median age 43.5
Female median age 39.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
85.5%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
242
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Meadowbrook, AL?

Meadowbrook has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.

What is average rent in Meadowbrook, AL?

The median gross rent in Meadowbrook is $1,276 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Meadowbrook?

The median home value in Meadowbrook is $390,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Meadowbrook?

The median household income in Meadowbrook is $145,464 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Meadowbrook, AL?

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

Is Meadowbrook, AL affordable?

Meadowbrook is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.

Meadowbrook at a Glance

Population
8,939
Median Income
$145,464
Home Value
$390,100
Median Rent
$1,276/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Alabama →
🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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