A
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
8%
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 Irondale Alabama National
Cost of living9688100
Goods & Services9896100
Groceries9796100
Health care9487100
Housing9272100
Transportation9191100
Utilities108102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Irondale, AL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Irondale is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Irondale is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In Irondale, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Irondale will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Irondale Affordable?

Wondering if Irondale is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Irondale, for example, the median home price is 15.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 8.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Irondale boasting a median household income of $61,051, which is 10.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Irondale?

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 Irondale, the groceries index is 3.3% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Irondale, the housing index is 8.2% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Irondale, healthcare costs are 6.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Irondale cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Irondale is 8% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Irondale is 4% lower than the national average
  • Irondale housing is 8% lower 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 Irondale

See all the best places to live around Irondale

Compare Irondale, 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$70,994$5,916$1,656$2,130
      Renters$49,315$4,110$1,151$1,480
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Irondale is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Irondale has a median income of about $70,994 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,656 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $49,315. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,151 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Irondale National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.07$24.2617.3%
      Beauty Salon $45.74$45.560.4%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.6%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.54$12.133.3%
      Bowling $16.37$18.009.1%

      Groceries

      Item Irondale National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.01$5.843.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.5%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.9%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.40$10.410.1%

      Health Care

      Item Irondale National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $92.33$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $101.83$135.7825.0%
      Dentist $125.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.28$10.653.5%
      Lipitor $460.79$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Irondale National avg. Difference
      Home Price $156,300.00$184,700.0015.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,935.73$2,346.6917.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,031.00$949.008.6%

      Transportation

      Item Irondale National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.13$3.469.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.52$59.929.0%

      Utilities

      Item Irondale National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.40$193.9913.1%
      Phone $188.55$192.251.9%
      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.
      Cardiff, AL467723.5%
      Mount Olive CDP (Coosa County), AL2757920.7%
      Edgewater, AL8328218.1%
      Brighton, AL2,8738317.4%
      Lipscomb, AL2,0558416.3%
      Irondale, AL13,068964.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      McPherson, KS13,066918.8%
      Las Vegas, NM13,0558811.8%
      Sarasota Springs, FL13,0531109.9%
      Annapolis Neck, MD13,04916564.8%
      Steamboat Springs, CO13,04814847.8%
      Irondale, AL13,068964.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.