Talladega County well above national livability median
Talladega County's composite score of 68.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 18.5 points, landing in the 69th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals comparable to much of the developed United States.
Talladega County scores 68.5 against Alabama's 70.8 state average, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's 67 counties. The 2.3-point gap reflects a dependable, consistently livable Alabama community.
3 / 5
Low taxes and exceptional housing affordability lead
Talladega County combines strong tax efficiency (91.9 at 0.369% effective rate) with excellent housing affordability (83.2), offering median rent of $772/month and home values of $137,900. Environmental risk is also low (15.3), suggesting stable conditions.
4 / 5
Income growth and health outcomes lag measurably
Income remains the weakest dimension with a score of 20.1 and median household income of $56,249, limiting economic opportunity. Health (59.5) is moderate but falls short of state-level strength, indicating some resource constraints.
5 / 5
Ideal for affordability seekers with modest incomes
Talladega County appeals to families and individuals seeking maximum affordability combined with environmental stability and low taxes. This is a solid choice for those content with modest incomes and looking to stretch limited housing budgets.
Talladega County well above national livability median
Talladega County's composite score of 68.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 18.5 points, landing in the 69th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals comparable to much of the developed United States.
Talladega County scores 68.5 against Alabama's 70.8 state average, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's 67 counties. The 2.3-point gap reflects a dependable, consistently livable Alabama community.
Low taxes and exceptional housing affordability lead
Talladega County combines strong tax efficiency (91.9 at 0.369% effective rate) with excellent housing affordability (83.2), offering median rent of $772/month and home values of $137,900. Environmental risk is also low (15.3), suggesting stable conditions.
Income growth and health outcomes lag measurably
Income remains the weakest dimension with a score of 20.1 and median household income of $56,249, limiting economic opportunity. Health (59.5) is moderate but falls short of state-level strength, indicating some resource constraints.
Ideal for affordability seekers with modest incomes
Talladega County appeals to families and individuals seeking maximum affordability combined with environmental stability and low taxes. This is a solid choice for those content with modest incomes and looking to stretch limited housing budgets.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛91.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Talladega's tax rate slightly exceeds national median
Talladega County's effective tax rate of 0.369% exceeds the national median of 0.309%, ranking in the 59th percentile nationally. Homeowners pay $509 annually on a median home valued at $137,900—far below the national median tax of $2,690. Alabama's lower property values keep Talladega's overall tax burden light despite above-average rates.
Talladega ranks 23rd in tax rates statewide
Talladega County's 0.369% effective rate places it 23rd among Alabama's 67 counties—solidly in the upper-middle range. The median annual tax of $509 nearly matches Alabama's state average of $511. Talladega residents face a fairly typical tax burden for Alabama.
Talladega taxes moderate compared to Russell
Talladega's 0.369% rate sits comfortably below neighboring Russell County (0.414%) and moderately below Shelby County (0.450%). It exceeds St. Clair County (0.305%) and Sumter County (0.353%). Talladega occupies the middle ground in central Alabama's tax landscape.
A $137,900 home costs $509 yearly in tax
The median Talladega County homeowner with a property valued at $137,900 pays $509 annually in property taxes. With mortgage obligations, the amount rises to $585; without a mortgage, it drops to $435. Over three decades, Talladega homeowners commit approximately $15,300 to property taxes.
Talladega homeowners should review their valuations
Many Talladega residents pay taxes on overvalued properties—a problem easily corrected through a free assessment appeal. If your home has declined in value or you believe it was overappraised initially, file an appeal with your county assessor. Successful challenges frequently reduce annual taxes by 5–10%.
Talladega County households earn $56,249—25% below the national median of $74,755—yet spend only 16.5% of income on rent, demonstrating strong housing affordability despite modest incomes. This east Alabama county achieves the housing cost efficiency of wealthier regions through lower absolute rent prices.
Better than state average despite lower incomes
Talladega County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio beats Alabama's 18.0% state average, an impressive feat given $56,249 household incomes. At $772 monthly median rent, the county exceeds the state median by just $27, creating superior affordability statewide.
Compact costs in a compact market
Talladega's $772 rent sits between Tallapoosa ($734) and Russell County ($898), offering middle-ground pricing for the rural tier. Owner costs of $745 monthly rank near Tallapoosa ($646) and Walker ($593), keeping the entire county in the genuinely affordable range.
Lean income, lean housing spending
Talladega renters allocate $772 monthly—16.5% of the $56,249 median income—to housing, leaving substantial room for other costs. Homeowners commit $745 monthly at a median home value of $137,900, establishing sustainable wealth-building on modest earning power.
Talladega rewards modest-income households
Talladega County is an excellent fit for families earning $50,000–$70,000 seeking genuine affordability without sacrificing community services. If you're relocating from higher-cost regions on a smaller salary, Talladega delivers the affordability margin you need to build financial stability.
Talladega County's median household income of $56,249 falls 25% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. The county reflects broader rural economic challenges across Alabama.
Mid-Tier Income Among Alabama Counties
Talladega County ranks in the middle range of Alabama counties with a median household income 4% above the state average of $54,196. While slightly above average for the state, the county still trails more prosperous regions.
Talladega Edges Similar-Income Counties
Talladega County's $56,249 income exceeds nearby Sumter County ($37,981) and matches Tallapoosa County ($57,185) closely. The tight clustering suggests a regional economic band in east-central Alabama.
Manageable Housing Burden
Talladega County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio maintains healthy housing affordability standards, preserving household resources for savings and necessities. A median home value of $137,900 remains attainable for most local earners.
Build Steady Progress Toward Goals
Talladega County residents earning $56,249 can steadily build wealth through consistent savings and employer retirement plans. Seek out financial counseling to develop a personalized investment strategy aligned with your long-term financial objectives.
At 70.5 years, Talladega County's life expectancy falls 6.7 years short of the U.S. average of 77.2 years, reflecting entrenched health inequities. Nearly one in four residents (23.5%) report poor or fair health, indicating high prevalence of chronic disease and limited access to preventive care.
Lowest life expectancy among peer counties
Talladega County's 70.5-year life expectancy is the lowest in this eight-county group and 1.6 years below Alabama's 72.1-year state average. The 23.5% poor/fair health rate also signals below-average health status compared to state norms.
Talladega struggles against similar counties
Talladega's 70.5-year life expectancy ranks lower than Russell (71.0) and St. Clair (72.8), yet its 26 primary care providers per 100K exceed only Russell's sparse capacity. The county's 42 mental health providers per 100K offer moderate support but remain insufficient for a population bearing high disease burden.
Uninsured rate and provider gaps compound care barriers
An 10.5% uninsured rate leaves roughly 1 in 10 Talladega residents without coverage, slightly below Alabama's 11.1% average but still substantial. Limited primary care and mental health provider density means residents often delay screenings and treatment, worsening preventable diseases.
Enroll now to improve your health security
Talladega County's uninsured population should visit healthcare.gov immediately to compare plans and check Medicaid eligibility based on income. County health departments and federally qualified health centers provide affordable primary care, screenings, and vaccinations regardless of insurance status.
Talladega County scores 84.67, placing it solidly in the relatively moderate risk category and nearly 24 points above Alabama's state average of 61.54. This composite score reflects significant combined exposure to tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes.
High-Risk County Statewide
Talladega County ranks among the higher-risk communities in this analysis, third only to Tuscaloosa (90.81) and Shelby (90.27). Its elevated risk positions it well above the state average and signals substantial natural disaster exposure.
Riskier Than Most Regional Peers
Talladega County's 84.67 score exceeds nearby St. Clair (72.14) and Tallapoosa (67.46), ranking it as a notably hazard-prone pocket of east-central Alabama. Only Tuscaloosa and Shelby present greater combined risk among the eight counties studied.
Tornado Risk Dominates Exposure
Tornado risk scores 93.77—among the highest in the state—followed by flood risk at 87.25 and earthquake risk at 78.47. These overlapping threats underscore Talladega's position in a naturally active region where residents face multiple seasonal and seismic hazards.
Invest in Comprehensive Disaster Coverage
With tornado risk at 93.77 and flood risk at 87.25, Talladega residents need both homeowners insurance and separate flood coverage to protect their most valuable asset. Consider earthquake insurance as well, given the 78.47 earthquake risk score—a critical layer often overlooked in the Southeast.