Cost of Living in Montevallo, AL

Population 7,429 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

69
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Montevallo 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Montevallo is about 30 miles south of Birmingham, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 52% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69
Rent 69

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

About the Cost of Living in Montevallo

The median home value in Montevallo is $210,400 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $906/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,665/year is 27% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.1%, 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, Montevallo has a cost of living index of 69 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$210,400
31% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$244,774
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$906/mo
31% below avg
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 64.7%
Renter-occupied 35.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$906
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,520/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
30.1 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.6%
Carpooled
6.7%
Walked
7.7%
Work from home
12.6%

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
$54,665
27% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,723
Unemployment Rate
8.1%
68% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor Force Participation
55.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.5%
Graduate degree 10.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 26.4
Male median age 32.1
Female median age 23.9

💨 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 Montevallo, AL?

Montevallo has a cost index of 69 (100 = national average). It is 31% below the national average.

What is average rent in Montevallo, AL?

The median gross rent in Montevallo is $906 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Montevallo?

The median home value in Montevallo is $210,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Montevallo?

The median household income in Montevallo is $54,665 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Montevallo, AL?

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

Is Montevallo, AL affordable?

Yes, Montevallo is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 69 — about 31% below the US national average of 100.

Montevallo at a Glance

Population
7,429
Median Income
$54,665
Home Value
$210,400
Median Rent
$906/mo
Unemployment
8.1%
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Alabama →
🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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