Cost of Living in Smiths Station, AL

Population 5,443 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Smiths Station a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $184,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Smiths Station sits roughly 13 miles west of Columbus — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Columbus' $182,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Smiths Station

The median home value in Smiths Station is $184,400 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $946/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,410/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.5%, 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, Smiths Station has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$184,400
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$283,170
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$946/mo
28% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2x
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 82.6%
Renter-occupied 17.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$946
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,560/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
24.5 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.7%
Carpooled
6.2%
Walked
0.8%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
5.1%

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
$57,410
23% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,501
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
68% below avg
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Labor Force Participation
54.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.7%
Graduate degree 10.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 39.7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Smiths Station, AL?

Smiths Station has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Smiths Station, AL?

The median gross rent in Smiths Station is $946 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Smiths Station?

The median home value in Smiths Station is $184,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Smiths Station?

The median household income in Smiths Station is $57,410 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Smiths Station, AL?

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

Is Smiths Station, AL affordable?

Yes, Smiths Station is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

Smiths Station at a Glance

Population
5,443
Median Income
$57,410
Home Value
$184,400
Median Rent
$946/mo
Unemployment
1.5%
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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