Cost of Living in Mountain Brook, AL

Population 22,160 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

219
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Mountain Brook's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $891,000 for a typical home, 192% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $191,128 that put it in the upper third of the state. An unemployment rate of 1.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located <5 miles southeast of Birmingham, Mountain Brook falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 543% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 292
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Mountain Brook

The median home value in Mountain Brook is $891,300 — 192% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,444/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $191,128/year is 156% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.0%, 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, Mountain Brook has a cost of living index of 219 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 119% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$891,300
192% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$998,114
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,444/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
51.4x
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 89.5%
Renter-occupied 10.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,444
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,058/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
18.8 min
30% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.2%
Carpooled
2.8%
Walked
0.3%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
16.5%

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
$191,128
156% above avg
Per Capita Income
$112,074
Unemployment Rate
1.0%
79% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor Force Participation
60.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 50.2%
Graduate degree 38.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 40.6
Female median age 42.6

💨 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 Mountain Brook, AL?

Mountain Brook has a cost index of 219 (100 = national average). It is 119% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mountain Brook, AL?

The median gross rent in Mountain Brook is $1,444 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mountain Brook?

The median home value in Mountain Brook is $891,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mountain Brook?

The median household income in Mountain Brook is $191,128 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mountain Brook, AL?

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

Is Mountain Brook, AL affordable?

Mountain Brook is above average in cost of living, with an index of 219 — about 119% higher than the national average.

Mountain Brook at a Glance

Population
22,160
Median Income
$191,128
Home Value
$891,300
Median Rent
$1,444/mo
Unemployment
1.0%
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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