Cost of Living in Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, AL — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Gadsden, AL to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Gadsden, AL vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.7 | −14.3% |
| Housing | 53.7 | −46.3% |
| Goods | 96.4 | −3.6% |
| Utilities | 86.7 | −13.3% |
| Other services | 96.7 | −3.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Gadsden, AL
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $639 | $25,560/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $792 | $31,680/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $927 | $37,080/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,124 | $44,960/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,304 | $52,160/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Gadsden, AL
- Federal income tax$2,219
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,273
- Medicare (1.45%)$532
- Alabama income tax$1,568
- Take-home pay$30,068
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Gadsden, AL
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,810 | $59,944 | $69,985 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $54,410 | $43,443 | $50,720 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $38,860 | $31,726 | $37,040 |
| First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers | $38,390 | $31,372 | $36,627 |
| Medical Assistant | $34,250 | $28,252 | $32,985 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $34,100 | $28,139 | $32,853 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $31,960 | $26,527 | $30,970 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $31,270 | $26,007 | $30,363 |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,440 | $25,382 | $29,633 |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,300 | $23,765 | $27,746 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $27,450 | $23,108 | $26,978 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,900 | $21,909 | $25,578 |
| Cashier | $25,750 | $21,793 | $25,443 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $24,030 | $20,462 | $23,890 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $22,770 | $19,488 | $22,752 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gadsden, AL expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Gadsden, AL metro area are 85.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 53.7%. It is the #376 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Gadsden, AL?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $51,392 in Gadsden, AL (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $36,660.
How much is rent in Gadsden, AL?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Gadsden, AL are $639 for a studio, $792 for one bedroom, $927 for two bedrooms and $1,124 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Gadsden, AL
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $77,810
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $34,250
- Nursing Assistant — $30,440
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $27,450
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Cooks, Fast Food — $25,900
- Waiter and Waitress — $24,030
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $22,770
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $38,390
- Retail Salesperson — $28,300
- Cashier — $25,750
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $34,100
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $54,410
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $31,960
- Stocker and Order Filler — $31,270