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Gadsden, AL

Cost of living in Etowah County, AL

Part of the Gadsden Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,755/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 103,208 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $810 29%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $405 15%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $306 11%
Energy $237 9%
State tax $142 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Etowah County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$646
per month
1 bedroom
$810
per month
2 bedroom
$942
per month
3 bedroom
$1,139
per month
4 bedroom
$1,255
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Etowah County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$53,070
per year
Individual earnings
$34,850
per year
Per capita
$29,553
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Etowah County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$160,600
Annual property tax
$585

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Etowah County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$179
per month · 15.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$58
per month
Annual total
$2,844
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Etowah County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
12.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Etowah County

State and local tax rates for Alabama.

State income tax
5.0%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
9.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Etowah County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.9 min
Drive alone
87.6%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
3.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Etowah County

What it costs to live in Etowah County each month.

Single person
$2,755
per month
  • Rent $810
  • Energy $237
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $405
  • State tax $142
Couple
$3,838
per month
  • Rent $942
  • Energy $284
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $538
  • State tax $218
Family
$6,165
per month
  • Rent $1,139
  • Energy $356
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $538
  • State tax $218

Frequently asked questions about Etowah County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Etowah County?

In Etowah County, AL, a one-bedroom apartment averages $810 per month, a two-bedroom averages $942 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,139 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Etowah County?

In Etowah County, AL, the average household income is $53,070 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $34,850 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Etowah County?

The estimated cost of living in Etowah County, AL is approximately $2,755 per month for a single person, $3,838 for a couple, $6,165 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Etowah County?

The combined sales tax rate in Etowah County, AL is 9.24%, which includes the Alabama state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 5.24%.

Is Etowah County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Etowah County, AL would need approximately $2,755 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $53,070 per year ($4,423 per month). Etowah County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Etowah County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Etowah County, AL is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 12.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Etowah County?

The average home value in Etowah County, AL is $160,600, with average annual property taxes of $585, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Etowah County compare to other areas?

You can compare Etowah County, AL with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Etowah County is in the Gadsden, AL metro area.

Other counties in Alabama

Browse the full list of counties in Alabama, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Alabama

Compare Etowah County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources