CountyScore

Monroe County

Alabama · AL

#24 in Alabama
71.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Alabama

Monroe ranks solidly above national average

Monroe County's composite score of 71.6 substantially outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it well into the upper tier of American counties. This 43% advantage reflects strong performance across multiple livability dimensions, particularly affordability.

Monroe edges out Alabama's county average

Monroe County ranks slightly above the Alabama average with a score of 71.6 compared to the state's 70.8, positioning it among the stronger-performing counties in the state. The county outperforms most of its neighbors in overall livability metrics.

Exceptional affordability and tax advantage

Monroe shines with the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.315%, earning a tax score of 93.4, and boasts the most affordable housing with median rent of $721/month and home values of $114,900. These twin advantages make it exceptionally attractive to budget-conscious households.

Income growth presents a significant gap

Monroe County's income score of 9.7 is the lowest among these eight counties, with a median household income of just $40,225. The county would benefit from economic development initiatives that attract higher-wage employment and career advancement opportunities.

Ideal for retirees and frugal families

Monroe County is best suited for retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers unconcerned with local wages, and families maximizing savings through ultra-low living costs. It offers exceptional value for those prioritizing financial security over income growth.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax93.4Cost87.1SafetyComing SoonHealth56.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome9.7Risk51.4WaterComing Soon
🏛93.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼9.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Monroe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bradford County
Florida
71.6
Median income: $59,740
Banks County
Georgia
71.6
Median income: $68,830
Warrick County
Indiana
71.6
Median income: $95,027
Mason County
Kentucky
71.6
Median income: $51,473
Pendleton County
Kentucky
71.6
Median income: $66,601

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe's affordability crisis outpaces nation

Monroe County's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio mirrors national averages, but with a median household income of just $40,225—46% below the national median of $74,755—housing costs consume a disproportionate share of already-tight budgets. This income gap makes Monroe one of Alabama's most financially strained counties.

Monroe ranks among state's toughest affordability

Monroe's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio trails only Montgomery and Mobile among Alabama counties, placing it third-most burdened. At $721 monthly rent, Monroe actually offers slightly below the state average of $799, yet the burden remains acute due to low median incomes.

Cheapest rents in survey area

Monroe's $721 median rent is among the lowest across this eight-county sample, beating rural peers like Perry ($610) only marginally. However, Monroe's disadvantage lies in income: residents earn roughly $6,000 less annually than neighboring counties with similar rents.

Housing dominance in Monroe budgets

Monroe renters allocate 21.5% of their $40,225 annual income—roughly $8,640 yearly—to rent alone, straining households already managing limited resources. Homeowners fare slightly better at $552 monthly, though on properties valued at $114,900, suggesting limited wealth accumulation.

Monroe suits ultra-budget conscious movers

Monroe's low rents make it attractive for remote workers or retirees with outside income sources, but local job opportunities remain limited. Relocators should verify employment prospects before committing, as low housing costs cannot offset insufficient local wages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe's health lags national average

Monroe County residents live to 70.8 years, nearly a year below the U.S. average of 71.5 years, signaling persistent health challenges in this rural county. Over one in four residents (26.1%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national prevalence and suggesting chronic disease burdens. With only 46 primary care providers per 100,000, Monroe has significantly fewer doctors than the national benchmark, limiting preventive care access.

Monroe ranks among Alabama's sickest

Monroe County's 70.8-year life expectancy falls 1.3 years below Alabama's state average of 72.1 years, placing it in the lower tier of state health rankings. The county's 26.1% poor/fair health rate stands well above the state median, reflecting higher rates of preventable chronic illness. Monroe's 11.5% uninsured rate matches the state average, but sparse provider availability (46 primary care per 100K) compounds coverage barriers.

Monroe's health crisis stands out locally

Monroe's 70.8-year life expectancy is nearly two years below neighboring Mobile County (72.6), a striking gap that underscores the county's health disadvantage. The 26.1% poor/fair health rate represents the highest burden among surveyed neighbors, with Pike County (21.7%) and Morgan County (21.9%) showing substantially better population health. Monroe's just 46 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest density among peers—forces residents to travel for routine care.

Rural crisis: few doctors, aging population

Monroe County's 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means a shortage so acute that routine care often requires long drives and extended wait times. The 26.1% poor/fair health rate and 11.5% uninsured rate (roughly 3,400 residents) combine to create a public health crisis in a county of 24,000. Mental health providers (120 per 100K) offer some support, but limited primary care acts as a bottleneck for all healthcare, from preventive screenings to chronic disease management.

Monroe residents: coverage helps overcome distance

For Monroe's 3,400 uninsured residents, Medicaid expansion and ACA marketplace plans offer pathways to coverage—visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore options. Securing insurance is crucial in Monroe, where provider scarcity forces many to travel; coverage determines whether distant care is financially feasible. Community health centers across Alabama offer sliding-scale care regardless of insurance—ask your county health department for locations.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe County sits below national risk

Monroe County's composite risk score of 48.66 earns a 'Relatively Low' rating and falls well below both the state average (61.54) and typical national risk benchmarks. This makes Monroe one of Alabama's safer counties for most disaster types.

Middle of the pack in Alabama

Monroe County ranks in the lower half of Alabama counties by disaster risk, with its 48.66 score sitting 13 points below state average. It avoids the extreme exposure that challenges counties like Mobile, Montgomery, and Morgan.

Safer than nearby Pike and Montgomery

Monroe County's 48.66 score mirrors Pike County (43.99) and Pickens County (44.69), creating a cluster of relatively lower-risk counties in south-central Alabama. All three score substantially below the state average and nearby Montgomery County's 91.83.

Hurricane risk still warrants attention

Although Monroe ranks low overall, its hurricane risk of 87.94 stands notably elevated—a reflection of its proximity to the Gulf and coastal weather systems. Tornado risk (60.59) is moderate, while flood, wildfire, and earthquake risks all remain below 60.

Basic coverage likely adequate here

Monroe County's low composite risk suggests standard homeowner insurance may suffice for most residents, though hurricane preparedness and a flood insurance policy are wise given the 87.94 hurricane score. Review your coverage annually and consider a wind rider if rebuilding costs have increased.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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