Cost of Living in Saraland, AL

Population 16,304 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

74
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Saraland is a smaller Alabama community of around 16000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,577 and housing costs ($211,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Saraland sits roughly 13 miles north of Mobile — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 24% higher than Mobile's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69
Rent 82

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

About the Cost of Living in Saraland

The median home value in Saraland is $210,500 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,071/month, 18% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,577/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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, Saraland has a cost of living index of 74 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$210,500
31% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$233,437
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,071/mo
18% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,252/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4x
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 75.7%
Renter-occupied 24.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,071
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,685/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
27.4 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
89.8%
Carpooled
4.9%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
4.3%

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
$60,577
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$39,669
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Labor Force Participation
56.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.0%
Graduate degree 8.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.9
Male median age 43.3
Female median age 44

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
56.2%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
257
PM2.5 days
96
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Saraland, AL?

Saraland has a cost index of 74 (100 = national average). It is 26% below the national average.

What is average rent in Saraland, AL?

The median gross rent in Saraland is $1,071 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Saraland?

The median home value in Saraland is $210,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Saraland?

The median household income in Saraland is $60,577 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Saraland, AL?

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

Is Saraland, AL affordable?

Yes, Saraland is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 74 — about 26% below the US national average of 100.

Saraland at a Glance

Population
16,304
Median Income
$60,577
Home Value
$210,500
Median Rent
$1,071/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Alabama →
🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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