Fort Payne 67 Good
Fort Payne Livability #86 ranked city in Alabama#10,977 ranked city in the USARanks better than 62% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Payne

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Fort Payne?

Fort Payne, Alabama is a mid-sized city with a population of 14,361 residents. The majority of Fort Payne residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and American Indian and Alaskan. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Fort Payne will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Living in Fort Payne can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Alabama, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Fort Payne and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Fort Payne to Alabama and the national average.

The livability score in Fort Payne is 67/100 and the city is ranked in the 65th percentile of all cities across America. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Fort Payne has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Fort Payne ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Fort Payne has a violent crime rate of 160 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Fort Payne apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Fort Payne real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Fort Payne. Median real estate prices in Fort Payne come in at $236,823, which is 0.5% higher than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fort Payne, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 2.8% higher than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fort Payne

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Compare Fort Payne, AL Livability

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      Fort Payne transportation information

      Statistic Fort Payne Alabama National
      Average one way commute20min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.1%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool16.4%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.9%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home2.4%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Fort Payne, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.