Fayette County's composite score of 74.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 48%, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This is the highest score among the eight Alabama counties profiled, reflecting exceptional value and livability across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Fayette leads Alabama counties in livability
Fayette's score of 74.2 surpasses Alabama's state average of 70.8, making it the top-performing county in this analysis. This leadership position reflects a particularly well-rounded livability profile for the state.
3 / 5
Risk mitigation and extreme affordability shine
Fayette posts the highest risk score (61.9) and cost score (89.6) of any county analyzed, with median home values just $121,200 and rents at $622 monthly—the lowest rents in the group. The combination of safety and exceptional affordability makes Fayette exceptional value.
4 / 5
Income scores reflect limited wage growth
Fayette's income score of 16.5 against a median household income of $50,733 indicates modest earning opportunities typical of rural Alabama. Residents seeking significant income growth may find the job market constraining.
5 / 5
Best for budget-minded families seeking peace
Fayette County is ideal for cost-conscious families, retirees, and those valuing safety and stability above wage maximization. With the lowest rents and strong risk mitigation among these counties, Fayette delivers unmatched value for those willing to trade higher incomes for exceptional affordability.
Fayette County's composite score of 74.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 48%, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This is the highest score among the eight Alabama counties profiled, reflecting exceptional value and livability across multiple dimensions.
Fayette leads Alabama counties in livability
Fayette's score of 74.2 surpasses Alabama's state average of 70.8, making it the top-performing county in this analysis. This leadership position reflects a particularly well-rounded livability profile for the state.
Risk mitigation and extreme affordability shine
Fayette posts the highest risk score (61.9) and cost score (89.6) of any county analyzed, with median home values just $121,200 and rents at $622 monthly—the lowest rents in the group. The combination of safety and exceptional affordability makes Fayette exceptional value.
Income scores reflect limited wage growth
Fayette's income score of 16.5 against a median household income of $50,733 indicates modest earning opportunities typical of rural Alabama. Residents seeking significant income growth may find the job market constraining.
Best for budget-minded families seeking peace
Fayette County is ideal for cost-conscious families, retirees, and those valuing safety and stability above wage maximization. With the lowest rents and strong risk mitigation among these counties, Fayette delivers unmatched value for those willing to trade higher incomes for exceptional affordability.
Score breakdown
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🏛94.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Fayette County's effective tax rate of 0.286% is well below the national median, making it one of the most tax-friendly counties in the nation. Though the national median property tax is $2,690 annually, Fayette residents pay just $347—a difference driven by both a low rate and a modest median home value of $121,200.
Fayette's rate runs below Alabama's state average
At 0.286%, Fayette County's effective tax rate sits comfortably below Alabama's state average of 0.339%, placing it among the state's more tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $347 is the lowest in this analysis, reflecting Fayette's combination of a low rate and below-average home values.
Fayette offers one of the region's best tax deals
Fayette's 0.286% rate is lower than DeKalb (0.338%), Escambia (0.395%), Etowah (0.364%), Franklin (0.338%), and Geneva (0.318%), though slightly higher than Elmore's 0.264%. For budget-conscious homeowners in northwestern Alabama, Fayette ranks among the smartest choices.
Median Fayette home costs $347 yearly
On a median home value of $121,200, Fayette property owners pay approximately $347 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $381 when including county fees, while those owning outright pay around $324.
Fayette homeowners can still benefit from appeals
Even in low-tax counties, some homeowners are overassessed—a property review costs nothing and can unlock additional savings. Contact your county assessor to request a reassessment and verify your home's valuation is fair.
Fayette offers the best rental affordability found
Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% is the lowest among all eight counties examined and well below Alabama's state average of 18.0%. At just $622/month, median rent is the cheapest in the group, allowing households earning $50,733 exceptional housing security compared to national norms.
Alabama's most affordable rental market
Fayette's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio decisively beats Alabama's state average of 18.0%, making it the state's clear leader for renter affordability. The combination of low rents ($622/month) and manageable incomes ($50,733) creates the strongest rent-affordability position in Alabama.
Unmatched affordability in the regional group
Fayette's 14.7% ratio and $622 rent are superior to every neighbor: DeKalb (16.0%, $683), Etowah (18.3%, $807), and Franklin County (15.5%, $667). Only Fayette consistently keeps rents below 15% of household income, making it the region's standout choice for cost-conscious renters.
Housing remains affordable across both tenure
Renters spend just $622/month (14.7% of income), while homeowners pay $512/month on median-valued properties of $121,200. Combined housing costs remain well under 30% of household income, leaving substantial room for other living expenses and emergency savings.
Fayette is relocation gold for budget-conscious families
Moving to Fayette? You've found Alabama's best-kept housing secret—rents below 15% of income and affordable homeownership combine to maximize household purchasing power. Directly compare Fayette's $622 rent against neighbors DeKalb ($683) and Etowah ($807) to see real monthly savings that matter for family budgets.
Fayette County's median household income of $50,733 lags the national median of $74,755 by 32%. Fayette households earn roughly $24,000 less per year than the typical American family.
Below Alabama average by 6%
Fayette's $50,733 median income sits 6% below Alabama's state average of $54,196, placing it in the lower-middle tier among Alabama counties. The $3,463 shortfall reflects modest economic constraints relative to the broader state.
Among the lowest in its region
Fayette's $50,733 is the second-lowest in this county cluster, with only Escambia County ($44,447) earning less. DeKalb ($51,149) and Franklin ($51,493) slightly outpace Fayette, though differences remain within a $1,400 range.
Best housing affordability locally
Fayette's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among surveyed counties, indicating excellent rental affordability. Median home values of $121,200 align well with local incomes, making Fayette relatively accessible for homebuyers.
Leverage Fayette's affordable housing
Fayette residents benefit from low housing-cost burdens, freeing more income for savings and investing. Prioritize building retirement accounts through employer plans and explore first-time homebuyer programs to build equity in Fayette's affordable housing market.
Fayette's life expectancy falls below national average
At 70.7 years, Fayette residents live 0.8 years below the U.S. average of 71.5 years. One in four (25.4%) report poor or fair health, indicating significant wellness challenges across the county.
Below Alabama average with high provider supply
Fayette's 70.7-year life expectancy trails Alabama's 72.1-year state average by 1.4 years. Remarkably, the county has 99 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest of any county in this set—yet health outcomes remain below state average.
Longer-lived than Escambia and Etowah counties
Fayette residents live 0.6 years longer than Escambia and 0.5 years longer than Etowah, though still trail Elmore by 3.9 years. The presence of abundant primary care suggests Fayette's health challenges may involve preventive care, lifestyle, or health management.
Strong primary care, weak mental health support
With 11.6% uninsured, Fayette is close to Alabama's state average, and primary care access is exceptional at 99 providers per 100,000. However, mental health services are scarce at just 19 providers per 100,000—the lowest in this set—creating a care gap.
Check coverage and mental health resources
Fayette families have solid primary care options but should seek coverage that includes mental health services. Visit healthcare.gov or call your county health department to explore comprehensive plans.
Fayette County scores just 38.17 with a Very Low risk rating, making it substantially safer than the national average across most natural disaster categories. The county's low exposure to floods, wildfires, and tornadoes reflects its inland, rural location away from major hazard corridors.
Alabama's Lowest-Risk County
At 38.17, Fayette's composite score ranks it as Alabama's safest county by far, less than two-thirds the state average of 61.54. The county faces minimal hazard exposure compared to nearly all other Alabama regions.
Safest in Its Region by Wide Margin
Fayette's 38.17 score makes it dramatically safer than neighboring DeKalb (80.38), Etowah (87.34), and Franklin (67.72)—often by 40+ points. Only Greene County (29.29) approaches Fayette's low-risk profile in northwest Alabama.
Tornado Risk Dominates Minor Threats
Tornado risk at 65.24 is Fayette's highest hazard, though still well below state averages and representing manageable seasonal vigilance rather than acute peril. All other hazards—earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires—score below 65, making Fayette one of Alabama's most naturally resilient counties.
Standard Coverage Provides Solid Protection
Fayette residents benefit from low natural disaster exposure, meaning a standard homeowners policy offers adequate protection for most households without specialized add-ons. A weather radio and basic tornado safety knowledge remain prudent precautions, but Fayette's overall risk profile allows families to focus resources on other priorities.