countyscore
53.5
County Score
Property Tax 97.5Cost of Living 91Water Quality 54.8

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Alabama

Monroe meets but doesn't exceed national livability norms

Monroe County's composite score of 52.2 sits just above the national median of 50.0, placing it near the middle of the national livability spectrum. The county achieves a near-average standing despite significant variation across its dimensions.

Right at Alabama's statewide average

Monroe's score of 52.2 closely mirrors Alabama's state average of 52.9, making it a quintessential mid-range Alabama county. This positioning suggests neither standout strengths nor critical weaknesses relative to state peers.

Affordability and low taxes lead the way

Monroe excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 86.0 and a median home value of just $114,900—among the most affordable in the state. Its tax score of 97.7 (effective rate 0.315%) ranks among Alabama's best, reducing the burden on household budgets.

Income and health gaps need attention

Monroe faces critical income challenges with a score of just 3.0 and median household income of only $40,225—well below state norms. Health outcomes also lag significantly (18.5 score), suggesting limited access to quality healthcare and preventive services.

Ideal for budget-minded, self-reliant households

Monroe suits retirees or remote workers with established income who prioritize affordability and low taxes over robust local job markets or healthcare infrastructure. Families seeking upward income mobility or quality health services should consider stronger-performing counties.

2040608010097.59132.718.539.33.951.454.842.7Tax97.5Cost91Safety32.7Health18.5Schools39.3Income3.9Risk51.4Water54.8Weather42.753.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Monroe County DNA

Foverall

How Monroe County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Monroe County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (97.5/100) but notably weak in Income (3.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
97.5+45.5
Cost
91+43
Safety
32.7-22.299999999999997
Health
18.5-31.5
Schools
39.3-14.700000000000003
Income
3.9-47.1
Risk
51.4
Water
54.8
Weather
42.7-13.299999999999997
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Monroe County

Whether buying or refinancing in Monroe County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$120,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$666/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$120,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $42,292/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

46.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Monroe County with Bullock County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
Alabama
Median income: $31,310
53.5
Andrew County
Missouri
Median income: $75,625
53.5
Storey County
Nevada
Median income: $93,409
53.5
Sussex County
New Jersey
Median income: $116,186
53.5
Highland County
Ohio
Median income: $65,785
53.5
Adams County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $84,092
53.5
Hansford County
Texas
Median income: $69,441
53.5
Orange County
Virginia
Median income: $94,008
53.5

Nearby counties

Clarke County
Alabama
48.2
Conecuh County
Alabama
57.6
Escambia County
Alabama
45.6
Wilcox County
Alabama
57.7
Washington County
Alabama
65.1
Butler County
Alabama
44.8
Baldwin County
Alabama
48.5
Marengo County
Alabama
48.3

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe offers minimal property tax burden

Monroe County's effective tax rate of 0.315% ranks in the lowest 5% nationally, leaving homeowners with minimal tax obligations. The median annual property tax of $362 is just 13% of the national median bill of $2,690.

Second-lowest taxes statewide

Monroe County ranks second-lowest among Alabama's 67 counties, with an effective rate of 0.315% compared to the state average of 0.339%. Only Randolph County at 0.224% offers a lower rate in the state.

Among the region's most affordable

Monroe County's $362 median tax bill is the lowest in its region, significantly undercutting Pike County ($403) and Pickens County ($356). Despite lower home values ($114,900 median), Monroe's tax rate ensures minimal burden for property owners.

Your annual Monroe County bill

On a median home valued at $114,900, Monroe County homeowners pay approximately $362 per year in property taxes. Even with mortgage escrow, the total typically remains under $400 annually.

Still worth reviewing your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, assessments can be inflated—roughly one in four homeowners nationally are overcharged. A free appeal to Monroe County's assessor could identify whether your home's valuation needs correction.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe trails the nation significantly

Monroe County's median household income of $40,225 falls 46% below the U.S. median of $74,755, a gap of nearly $35,000 per year. This places Monroe among the lowest-income counties nationally, reflecting economic challenges common to rural Alabama.

Ranking in Alabama's lower tier

Monroe County earns 26% below Alabama's state median of $54,196, placing it in the bottom third of Alabama counties by household income. Per capita income of $23,470 also lags the state average of $29,701, indicating limited earning opportunities across the workforce.

Monroe is the region's lowest earner

Monroe's $40,225 median income is substantially lower than every comparable county in the group, with nearby Pike County at $47,961 and Pickens County at $47,014 both earning 18%+ more. Even Perry County, the second-lowest in this cohort, earns $34,368—still above Monroe's baseline.

Housing costs strain budgets

Monroe's rent-to-income ratio of 21.5% means the typical renter dedicates over one-fifth of limited income to housing. With median home values at $114,900, homeownership requires significant financial discipline given the median income of just $40,225.

Prioritize emergency savings first

Given tight household budgets, Monroe residents should focus on building a small emergency fund before other investments. Even modest monthly contributions to savings—automated from paychecks—create financial resilience and reduce reliance on costly debt.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Monroe County

via CrimeByCounty

Monroe County Outperforms National Safety Norms

Monroe County shows a total crime rate of 1579.5 per 100K, keeping it well below the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a strong safety score of 97.5.

Leading the Way in Alabama Safety

The county's safety score of 97.5 slightly exceeds the Alabama state average of 97.3. Its total crime rate is also lower than the state average of 1731.0, signaling a safer environment than many surrounding areas.

Local Comparisons Favor Monroe County

Monroe County is significantly safer than Mobile County to the south, which has a much higher crime rate of 3105.3. Residents here enjoy a quieter landscape compared to the busier Gulf Coast region.

The Local Crime Environment Analyzed

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 413.8 per 100K, while property crime is more frequent at 1165.7. Most reported incidents involve property, which is typical for rural Alabama jurisdictions.

Proactive Home Defense in Monroe

Even with favorable safety stats, property crime remains the primary concern for local families. Strengthening entry points and using motion-activated lights are effective ways to deter potential intruders.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Monroe County

via WeatherByCounty

A rainy subtropical pocket

Monroe County receives 54.6 inches of rain annually, which is significantly higher than the national median. While specific average temperature data is unavailable, its climate profile remains consistent with the humid, warm conditions found across the Deep South.

Drier than the state average

The county's 54.6 inches of annual rainfall is slightly below the Alabama average of 57.4 inches. While local temperature data is limited, Monroe typically aligns with the warmer trends seen in the southern half of the state.

Matching the coastal plain neighbors

Monroe shares its high-humidity profile with adjacent counties like Clarke and Conecuh. Like most of its neighbors in southern Alabama, it records 0.0 inches of annual snowfall.

Long summers and snowless winters

Winters are exceptionally mild, resulting in an average of 0.0 inches of snowfall annually. Though summer temperature data is missing, the 54.6 inches of rain supports a long, lush growing season.

Manage moisture and heat

Property owners should prioritize robust drainage and gutter systems to handle 54.6 inches of annual rain. Because snow is non-existent, residents can focus their maintenance budgets on humidity control and cooling.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Monroe County

via SoilByCounty

Classic Southern Acidic Soils

Monroe County has an average soil pH of 5.14, falling just under the state average of 5.21. This acidic profile is much lower than the national median of 6.5, a common trait for the soils of the Alabama coastal plain.

The Sand and Silt Balance

The soil composition is 56.2% sand and 26.8% silt, with 14.3% clay providing some structural stability. This mix allows for decent drainage while the silt and clay components help hold onto minerals better than purely sandy areas.

Building Up the Soil Base

Organic matter sits at 1.44%, which is lower than the state average of 1.74% and the national 2.0% benchmark. Available water capacity is also slightly below the state norm at 0.134 in/in, indicating a need for consistent irrigation.

Moderate Drainage for Forested Land

While specific drainage classes are not provided in the data, the 56.2% sand content usually offers moderate to good drainage. The overall soil score of 15.9 suggests that consistent amendments are necessary to maximize agricultural productivity.

Heat-Tolerant Varieties Thrive Here

Gardeners in hardiness zone 8b can find success with heat-tolerant crops like peppers, tomatoes, and blueberries. Supplementing with compost will help improve the low organic matter and keep your plants thriving through the summer.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Monroe County

via LawnByCounty

Demanding Maintenance in Monroe

Monroe County's lawn difficulty score of 24.0 indicates a challenging environment that sits below the Alabama state average of 29.5. Homeowners in this Zone 8b region face steeper hurdles than the typical American lawn, which scores 50.0 for ease of care.

Abundant Rainfall for Turf

Annual precipitation of 54.6 inches is slightly higher than the national ideal 50-inch ceiling, keeping the ground consistently moist. While specific heat data is limited, the sub-tropical climate generally requires homeowners to be vigilant about fungal management during humid months.

Lime is Essential Here

The soil is notably acidic at 5.14 pH, requiring regular lime applications to reach the 6.0-7.0 range that most grasses prefer. A composition of 56.2% sand helps with drainage but may require more frequent, light fertilization to maintain lawn vigor throughout the year.

Battling Severe Dry Conditions

Severe drought currently impacts 78.2% of the county, following a difficult year where residents endured 33 weeks of dry conditions. Implementing a smart irrigation system or using rain barrels can help manage water resources while maintaining turf health during these extended dry periods.

Warm-Season Success in 8b

Warm-season varieties like Bermuda or Zoysia are excellent choices for the local Zone 8b climate. Although specific frost dates vary, late spring is typically the prime window to seed or sod once soil temperatures consistently rise.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monroe County's county score?
Monroe County, Alabama has a composite county score of 53.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Monroe County rank among counties in Alabama?
Monroe County ranks #35 among all counties in Alabama on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Monroe County, Alabama?
The median annual property tax in Monroe County is $381, with an effective tax rate of 0.32%. This earns Monroe County a tax score of 97.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Monroe County?
The median household income in Monroe County, Alabama is $42,292 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Monroe County earns an income score of 3.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Monroe County, Alabama a good place to live?
Monroe County scores 53.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #35 in Alabama. The best way to evaluate Monroe County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Monroe County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.