A
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
1%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Pell City Alabama National
Cost of living9788100
Goods & Services9196100
Groceries9496100
Health care8087100
Housing10172100
Transportation9291100
Utilities124102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pell City, AL

Knowing the cost of living in Pell City allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Pell City stands at 97, marking it 3% lower than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Pell City are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Pell City can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Pell City Affordable?

Is Pell City affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Pell City, the median home price is 1.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 2% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Pell City boasting a median household income of $59,536, 7.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pell City?

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Pell City, the groceries index is 5.7% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Pell City, the utilities index is 23.5% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Pell City, the healthcare costs are 20.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Pell City, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Pell City is 10% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Pell City is 3% lower than the national average
  • Pell City housing is 1% higher than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Pell City

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Compare Pell City, AL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$70,429$5,869$1,643$2,113
      Renters$46,147$3,846$1,077$1,385
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Pell City, AL, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Pell City have a median income of $70,429. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,643 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $46,147, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,077.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Pell City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $16.56$24.2631.8%
      Beauty Salon $35.56$45.5622.0%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.28$1.280.0%
      Movie $11.49$12.135.3%
      Bowling $16.50$18.008.3%

      Groceries

      Item Pell City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.17$5.8411.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.56$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $5.40$4.939.4%
      Pizza $10.59$12.0912.4%
      Beer $10.17$10.412.3%

      Health Care

      Item Pell City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $83.34$125.6833.7%
      Doctor $98.98$135.7827.1%
      Dentist $81.53$113.2928.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.24$10.653.8%
      Lipitor $483.70$468.603.2%

      Housing

      Item Pell City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $188,000.00$184,700.001.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,405.24$2,346.6940.1%
      Apartment Rent $930.00$949.002.0%

      Transportation

      Item Pell City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.07$3.4611.3%
      Tire Balancing $59.63$59.920.5%

      Utilities

      Item Pell City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $270.14$193.9939.3%
      Phone $188.01$192.252.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Talladega, AL15,4058217.7%
      Ragland, AL1,7958317.4%
      Waldo, AL3068415.7%
      Vincent, AL1,9568712.6%
      Sterrett, AL914909.8%
      Pell City, AL14,081972.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sun Village, CA14,08012020.1%
      Deming, NM14,0838020.3%
      Moultrie, GA14,0868614.0%
      Kings Park West, VA14,09016262.4%
      Red Bluff, CA14,0911088.5%
      Pell City, AL14,081972.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.