Cost of Living in Anniston, AL
Updated November 2026 · Calhoun County · Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area · population 21,271
Prices in Anniston are 11.7% below the US average (local index 88.3; the BEA index for the Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area is 85.9), with local housing the biggest saving at 51.2; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,055 a month and the median rent is $799.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Anniston's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area, unchanged.
Anniston price index by category, US average = 100: All items 88.3, Housing (rents) 51.2, Goods 96.4, Utilities 87.1, Other services 96.7
It is the 10th most expensive of the 14 Alabama cities in our data. Cheaper than 97% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.6 | 85.8 | 83.7 | 84.2 | 86.2 | 85.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Anniston, AL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $462 | $5,544 | 22% |
| Utilities | $266 | $3,192 | 13% |
| Food at home | $272 | $3,264 | 13% |
| Transportation | $554 | $6,648 | 27% |
| Health care | $340 | $4,080 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 8% |
| Total | $2,055 | $24,660 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Anniston, AL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $567 | $6,804 | 16% |
| Utilities | $419 | $5,028 | 12% |
| Food at home | $502 | $6,024 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,097 | $13,164 | 31% |
| Health care | $630 | $7,560 | 18% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $318 | $3,816 | 9% |
| Total | $3,533 | $42,396 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Anniston, AL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $642 | $7,704 | 15% |
| Utilities | $511 | $6,132 | 12% |
| Food at home | $716 | $8,592 | 17% |
| Transportation | $1,458 | $17,496 | 34% |
| Health care | $587 | $7,044 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $410 | $4,920 | 9% |
| Total | $4,324 | $51,888 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Anniston
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $706 modelled from city median rent |
| 1 bedroom | $654 |
| 2 bedrooms | $803 |
| 3 bedrooms | $909 |
| 4 bedrooms | $865 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $799 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $564 |
| Median home value | $158,800 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,158/mo |
| Median household income | $46,668 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 34.2% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.4× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Alabama
16.33¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +0.4% (from 16.26¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,139 kWh a month in Alabama ≈ $187/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Alabama is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Anniston are 11.7% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $68,000 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 88.3. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guntersville, AL | 54 mi | 87.9 | $2,131 | $842 |
| Fort Payne, AL | 55 mi | 86.2 | $2,053 | $679 |
| Birmingham, AL | 58 mi | 90.3 | $2,409 | $1,107 |
| Hoover, AL | 61 mi | 93.9 | $2,673 | $1,457 |
| South Fulton, GA | 71 mi | 101.1 | $2,817 | $1,702 |
| Mableton, GA | 72 mi | 98.3 | $2,754 | $1,472 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlingen, TX | 88.2 | $2,184 | $928 |
| Springfield, MO | 88.3 | $2,216 | $964 |
| Brownsville, TX | 88.2 | $2,157 | $923 |
| Wichita, KS | 88.4 | $2,189 | $975 |
| Moline, IL | 88.4 | $2,219 | $900 |
| Edinburg, TX | 88.5 | $2,252 | $996 |
Compare Anniston with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Anniston, AL an expensive place to live?
Anniston has a local cost of living index of 88.3, which is 11.7% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area (85.9) and adjusts housing to Anniston's own rents. It is 0.6 points below the Alabama average. It is the 10th most expensive of the 14 Alabama cities in our data. Cheaper than 97% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Anniston?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,055 for a single adult, $3,533 for a couple and $4,324 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $53,000 in Anniston.
What is the average rent in Anniston?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $799 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $654, 2 bedrooms $803, 3 bedrooms $909. The typical renter spends 34.2% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Anniston?
The median owner-estimated home value is $158,800, 3.4 times the median household income of $46,668 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,158 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Anniston?
Alabama residential electricity averaged 16.33¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Anniston-Oxford, AL metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 85.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 0101852 (Anniston city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Alabama residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources