Selma, AL vs Anniston, AL: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Anniston, AL has a modeled overall cost index 5.5% higher than Selma, AL.

Selma, AL · modeled 2BR rent
$900 / month
Anniston, AL · modeled 2BR rent
$935 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Selma, AL and Anniston, AL using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $339/month in Anniston, AL

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $154,070 in Anniston, AL

Regional cost estimates: Selma, AL uses Montgomery, AL. Anniston, AL uses Birmingham, AL. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 5.5%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$339
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$4.1K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Selma, AL

Population:17K
Cost Index:
80.8
100 = national average
Typical Home:$75K

Anniston, AL

Population:21K
Cost Index:
85.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$105K

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Selma, AL

The Heart of Dixie

17K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 17K residents.

Anniston, AL

The Heart of Dixie

21K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 21K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Selma, AL vs Anniston, AL

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 7.5%
Selma, AL
$1,930
Anniston, AL
$2,074
Difference
$144
more
Other
↑ 6.5%
Selma, AL
$1,771
Anniston, AL
$1,886
Difference
$115
more
Transportation
↑ 3.1%
Selma, AL
$1,397
Anniston, AL
$1,440
Difference
$43.30
more
Groceries
↑ 1.5%
Selma, AL
$1,144
Anniston, AL
$1,161
Difference
$17.59
more
All Utilities
↑ 1.5%
Selma, AL
$645
Anniston, AL
$655
Difference
$9.92
more
Healthcare
↑ 1.5%
Selma, AL
$613
Anniston, AL
$623
Difference
$9.43
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$690
To$730
↑ $40.00
1 Bed
From$750
To$740
↓ $10.00
2 Bed
From$900
To$935
↑ $35.00
3 Bed
From$1,155
To$1,265
↑ $110
Selma, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $750–$750/mo

Anniston, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $680–$800/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Selma, AL
$7,839
Monthly in Anniston, AL
$339
Difference

Home Values

Selma
Anniston
$75K
Median Value
$105K
↓ -4.8%
YoY Change
↑ +0.6%
↓ -6%
5-Year Change
↑ +9.8%
$57K - $93K
Price Range
$65K - $145K

Homes in Anniston are 39% more expensive than Selma

Calculate payment - SelmaCalculate payment - Anniston

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Selma, AL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Alabama State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.5K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.5K
Take-Home Pay
$8,794/month
$105.5K

Anniston, AL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Alabama State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.5K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.5K
Take-Home Pay
$8,794/month
$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

Selma, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%
Property Tax:0.4%

Anniston, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%
Property Tax:0.4%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Selma
Anniston
42 Good
Air Quality
57 Moderate
69%
Good Air Days
26%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+2.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.5°F
62 days
Heat Days >95°F
41 days
▲+2.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.5°F
62 days
Heat Days >95°F
41 days

Before moving from Selma, AL to Anniston, AL

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Anniston, AL for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Selma, AL. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Selma to Anniston moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Anniston, AL by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Selma, AL vs Anniston, AL

How do the cost estimates for Selma, AL and Anniston, AL compare?

Anniston, AL has a modeled overall cost index 5.5% higher than Selma, AL. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Selma, AL, the model estimates $154,070 in Anniston, AL. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Selma, AL and Anniston, AL?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $900/month in Selma, AL and $935/month in Anniston, AL. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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