Cost of Living in Theodore, AL

Population 4,950 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

67
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Theodore is a smaller Alabama community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,764 and housing costs ($152,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 26% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Theodore sits roughly 10 miles southwest of Mobile. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Mobile's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 50
Rent 93

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

About the Cost of Living in Theodore

The median home value in Theodore is $151,800 — 50% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,222/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,764/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, 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, Theodore has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$151,800
50% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$197,204
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,222/mo
7% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.4x
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 86.4%
Renter-occupied 13.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,222
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,836/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
26.7 min
1% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
91.3%
Carpooled
5.5%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
2.1%

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
$60,764
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,399
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
42% below avg
Poverty Rate
25.5%
Labor Force Participation
60.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.8%
Graduate degree 4.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.6
Male median age 39.5
Female median age 40

💨 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 Theodore, AL?

Theodore has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.

What is average rent in Theodore, AL?

The median gross rent in Theodore is $1,222 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Theodore?

The median home value in Theodore is $151,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Theodore?

The median household income in Theodore is $60,764 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Theodore, AL?

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

Is Theodore, AL affordable?

Yes, Theodore is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.

Theodore at a Glance

Population
4,950
Median Income
$60,764
Home Value
$151,800
Median Rent
$1,222/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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