Tallapoosa County's composite score of 71.4 ranks highest among these eight counties and 42% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally. The county demonstrates exceptional livability by American standards.
2 / 5
Slightly above Alabama's average; a top performer
Tallapoosa County edges above Alabama's 70.8 state average with a score of 71.4, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's 67 counties. This 0.6-point advantage reflects the county's consistent strength across dimensions.
3 / 5
Outstanding tax rates and housing affordability
Tallapoosa County ranks second in tax efficiency (93.5 with the lowest 0.311% rate) and boasts the highest cost score (85.5), with median rent of $734/month and home value of $144,800. These low-cost fundamentals make the county exceptionally attractive for budget-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Income levels constrain economic opportunity
Income remains modest with a score of 20.7 and median household income of $57,185, limiting earning potential and wealth building. Health (60.4) is slightly above midpoint but reflects moderate rather than exceptional wellness resources.
5 / 5
Premier choice for value-seeking families
Tallapoosa County excels for families prioritizing maximum affordability and low taxes while accepting modest income levels. The county's top-tier cost profile makes it an attractive landing spot for those seeking to optimize housing dollars without sacrificing livability.
Tallapoosa County's composite score of 71.4 ranks highest among these eight counties and 42% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally. The county demonstrates exceptional livability by American standards.
Slightly above Alabama's average; a top performer
Tallapoosa County edges above Alabama's 70.8 state average with a score of 71.4, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's 67 counties. This 0.6-point advantage reflects the county's consistent strength across dimensions.
Outstanding tax rates and housing affordability
Tallapoosa County ranks second in tax efficiency (93.5 with the lowest 0.311% rate) and boasts the highest cost score (85.5), with median rent of $734/month and home value of $144,800. These low-cost fundamentals make the county exceptionally attractive for budget-conscious residents.
Income levels constrain economic opportunity
Income remains modest with a score of 20.7 and median household income of $57,185, limiting earning potential and wealth building. Health (60.4) is slightly above midpoint but reflects moderate rather than exceptional wellness resources.
Premier choice for value-seeking families
Tallapoosa County excels for families prioritizing maximum affordability and low taxes while accepting modest income levels. The county's top-tier cost profile makes it an attractive landing spot for those seeking to optimize housing dollars without sacrificing livability.
Score breakdown
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🏛93.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Tallapoosa County's effective tax rate of 0.311% sits just above the national median of 0.309%, ranking in the 48th percentile nationally. Homeowners pay $450 annually on a median home valued at $144,800—a fraction of the national median tax of $2,690. Alabama's low property values make Tallapoosa an exceptionally affordable place to own real estate.
Tallapoosa ranks 52nd among Alabama counties
Tallapoosa County's 0.311% effective rate places it 52nd among Alabama's 67 counties—comfortably below the state average. The median annual tax of $450 is 12% below Alabama's state average of $511. Tallapoosa residents enjoy below-average tax burdens statewide.
Tallapoosa taxes lighter than most nearby counties
Tallapoosa's 0.311% rate undercuts Talladega County (0.369%), Russell County (0.414%), and Shelby County (0.450%). Only Walker County (0.272%) and St. Clair County (0.305%) tax lower in the region. Tallapoosa ranks among central Alabama's most tax-friendly counties.
A $144,800 home costs $450 yearly in tax
The median Tallapoosa County homeowner with a property valued at $144,800 pays $450 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the amount rises to $497; without one, it drops to $401. Over 30 years, Tallapoosa homeowners pay approximately $13,500 in cumulative property taxes.
Tallapoosa homeowners should verify assessments
Even low-tax counties contain overassessments—properties valued above fair market value. Tallapoosa residents should request a reassessment if they believe their home's assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales. A successful appeal, costing nothing to file, could reduce your annual bill by $20–50 or more.
Tallapoosa County residents earn $57,185—24% below the national median of $74,755—yet spend only 15.4% of income on rent, the most affordable rate among these eight counties. This rural east Alabama market delivers exceptional housing affordability without requiring affluent incomes.
Best affordability ratio in the group
Tallapoosa County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio stands well below Alabama's 18.0% state average, ranking among the state's most affordable counties. Median rents of $734 fall just $65 below the state median of $799, enabling strong affordability through reasonable pricing.
The region's most budget-friendly option
Tallapoosa's $734 rent ranks lowest among this comparison group, undercut only by its peer Talladega ($772) by just $38. Owner costs of $646 monthly match the region's lowest rates, positioning Tallapoosa as the go-to county for stretched budgets.
Smallest housing burden in the sample
Tallapoosa renters devote just $734 monthly—15.4% of $57,185 annual income—to housing, freeing up resources for savings and other needs. Homeowners invest $646 monthly at a median home value of $144,800, building equity on genuinely modest household earnings.
Tallapoosa is made for modest-income movers
Tallapoosa County is Alabama's best choice for households earning $50,000–$65,000 seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing stability. If job changes or life circumstances reduce household income, Tallapoosa's low-cost housing market provides the safety net most families need.
Tallapoosa County's median household income of $57,185 falls 23% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting regional economic constraints. The county sits in the lower-middle tier of American counties by income.
Slightly Above Alabama Average
Tallapoosa County ranks just above the state average with median household income of $57,185 compared to Alabama's $54,196. The county performs modestly better than its state peers despite remaining below national standards.
Tallapoosa Mirrors Regional Income Levels
Tallapoosa County's $57,185 income closely matches Talladega County ($56,249) and sits above Sumter County ($37,981), positioning it as a mid-tier earner in east-central Alabama. The regional similarity suggests common economic drivers and opportunities.
Strong Housing Affordability Position
Tallapoosa County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Alabama's best, enabling households to allocate more resources to savings and necessities. A median home value of $144,800 provides accessible homeownership opportunities.
Take Advantage of Affordability
Tallapoosa County residents benefit from strong housing affordability that frees up income for investment and savings goals. Use this advantage to build emergency reserves and consistently contribute to retirement accounts for compounding growth.
At 72.8 years, Tallapoosa County's life expectancy falls 4.4 years below the U.S. average of 77.2 years, indicating elevated mortality from chronic disease. The 22.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds national norms, reflecting a population managing multiple preventable health conditions.
Slightly above state average in longevity
Tallapoosa County's 72.8-year life expectancy edges 0.7 years above Alabama's 72.1-year state average, though the 22.8% poor/fair health rate suggests ongoing health challenges. The county ranks in Alabama's middle tier for health outcomes.
Tallapoosa offers solid primary care but high uninsured
Tallapoosa's 46 primary care providers per 100K exceed Russell and St. Clair counties but lag Shelby and Tuscaloosa, while 39 mental health providers offer modest support. The 12.3% uninsured rate—the highest among these eight counties—undermines the benefit of provider availability for uninsured residents.
High uninsured rate strains healthcare access
At 12.3% uninsured, Tallapoosa County exceeds Alabama's 11.1% state average, meaning 1 in 8 residents lack continuous health coverage. This gap is especially problematic in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, which contribute to the county's elevated poor/fair health rate.
Don't go uninsured—check eligibility today
Tallapoosa County's 12.3% uninsured rate is among the highest in the region; visit healthcare.gov or Alabama Medicaid to explore coverage options for your household. Community health centers throughout the county offer primary care and chronic disease management on sliding-fee scales.
Tallapoosa County scores 67.46, earning a relatively low risk rating but sitting about 6 points above Alabama's state average of 61.54. This gap reflects above-average exposure to flooding and tornado events, balanced by lower wildfire risk.
Mid-Range Risk Among Eight Counties
Tallapoosa County ranks in the middle tier of this analysis, safer than Talladega (84.67), Shelby (90.27), and Tuscaloosa (90.81) but less protected than Russell (54.74) and Sumter (53.02). Its score reflects east-central Alabama's moderate hazard exposure.
Similar Risk to Nearby St. Clair County
Tallapoosa County's 67.46 score falls just below nearby St. Clair (72.14) and substantially above Russell (54.74), positioning it as a moderately exposed community in the region. Talladega (84.67) poses notably greater combined risk.
Floods and Tornadoes Lead Threats
Flood risk scores 77.86 and tornado risk scores 72.84, making these the primary natural disaster concerns for Tallapoosa residents. Hurricane risk (74.22) and wildfire risk (75.06) add secondary but still significant exposure.
Prepare for Water and Wind Damage
With flood risk at 77.86 and tornado risk at 72.84, Tallapoosa residents should secure both homeowners and separate flood insurance before disaster strikes. Maintain an emergency kit and safe room plan—two essential preparations that cost little but save lives.