| Index | Fort Payne | Alabama | National |
| Cost of living | 90 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 69 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 93 | 100 |
The cost of living in Fort Payne affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Fort Payne is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
In Fort Payne, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, 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 Fort Payne will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Fort Payne 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 Fort Payne, the median home price is 27.5% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 39.2% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Fort Payne boasting a median household income of $64,128, 21.2% lower than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Fort Payne, is 31% 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.
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 Fort Payne, the healthcare costs are 1.7% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Fort Payne shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $73,924 | $6,160 | $1,725 | $2,218 |
| Renters | $34,584 | $2,882 | $807 | $1,038 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Alabama | 4% | 13.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Alabama | 2% | 5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Collinsville, AL | 2,388 | 79 | 21.3% |
| Valley Head, AL | 928 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Dutton, AL | 526 | 79 | 20.7% |
| Lookout Mountain, AL | 1,569 | 83 | 16.7% |
| Shiloh, AL | 380 | 80 | 19.8% |
| Fort Payne, AL | 14,361 | 90 | 9.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Atlantic Beach, FL | 14,361 | 136 | 35.7% |
| Alamo, CA | 14,363 | 304 | 204.0% |
| Sauk Rapids, MN | 14,365 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Fruita, CO | 14,366 | 115 | 15.2% |
| Cahokia, IL | 14,366 | 81 | 19.2% |
| Fort Payne, AL | 14,361 | 90 | 9.9% |
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