A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
19%
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 Cullman Alabama National
Cost of living9088100
Goods & Services9596100
Groceries9696100
Health care8187100
Housing8172100
Transportation8891100
Utilities98102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Cullman, AL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Cullman 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 Cullman is 90, which is 10% 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.

Is Cullman Affordable?

Is Cullman affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Cullman, for instance, where the median home price falls 18.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 21% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Cullman flaunting a median household income of $52,301, 5.5% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Cullman?

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Cullman, the transportation index stands at 12% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Cullman cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Cullman is 1% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Cullman is 10% lower than the national average
  • Cullman housing is 19% lower than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Cullman

See all the best places to live around Cullman

Compare Cullman, 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$68,806$5,734$1,605$2,064
      Renters$31,823$2,652$742$955
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Cullman, 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 Cullman have a median income of $68,806. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,605 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $31,823, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $742.

      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 Cullman National avg. Difference
      Haircut $16.56$24.2631.8%
      Beauty Salon $43.94$45.563.6%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.6%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.1%
      Movie $11.52$12.135.0%
      Bowling $18.22$18.001.2%

      Groceries

      Item Cullman National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.55$5.845.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.1%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.42$4.939.9%
      Pizza $11.35$12.096.1%
      Beer $10.33$10.410.8%

      Health Care

      Item Cullman National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $86.78$125.6831.0%
      Doctor $88.83$135.7834.6%
      Dentist $91.06$113.2919.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.10$10.655.2%
      Lipitor $496.37$468.605.9%

      Housing

      Item Cullman National avg. Difference
      Home Price $150,300.00$184,700.0018.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,674.56$2,346.6928.6%
      Apartment Rent $750.00$949.0021.0%

      Transportation

      Item Cullman National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.08$3.4610.9%
      Tire Balancing $51.25$59.9214.5%

      Utilities

      Item Cullman National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $172.88$193.9910.9%
      Phone $213.41$192.2511.0%
      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.
      Baileyton, AL1,0128217.7%
      East Point, AL3638217.6%
      Falkville, AL1,3828416.5%
      Blountsville, AL2,0098712.9%
      Hanceville, AL3,3778712.9%
      Cullman, AL16,0729010.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Albemarle, NC16,0738811.7%
      Harrisburg, NC16,07312020.1%
      Cold Lake, AB16,076n/a 
      Zephyrhills, FL16,0628911.4%
      Laguna Woods, CA16,05613029.7%
      Cullman, AL16,0729010.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.