Cost of Living in Pelham, AL
Population 24,510 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Pelham 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. An unemployment rate of 1.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Pelham sits roughly 15 miles south of Birmingham — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 101% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Pelham
The median home value in Pelham is $278,900 — 9% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,573/month, 20% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,904/year is 23% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, 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, Pelham has a cost of living index of 103 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Pelham, AL?
Pelham has a cost index of 103 (100 = national average). It is 3% above the national average.
What is average rent in Pelham, AL?
The median gross rent in Pelham is $1,573 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Pelham?
The median home value in Pelham is $278,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Pelham?
The median household income in Pelham is $91,904 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Pelham, AL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Pelham is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Pelham, AL affordable?
Pelham is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 103 (100 = US average).
Pelham at a Glance
- Population
- 24,510
- Median Income
- $91,904
- Home Value
- $278,900
- Median Rent
- $1,573/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.7%
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
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Alabama Rankings
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