Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Florence, Alabama

Downtown Florence Historic District, in Florence, Alabama, United States.
Photo by themidnite (original), Yassie (derivative work via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Florence costs

A Shoals-area budget needs the actual home, cooling, drainage, utilities, and care visible

The catalog's 2024 ACS gross-rent anchors are $624 for one bedroom and $877 for two bedrooms, with a modeled local monthly estimate of $2,584. Add utilities, heating, cooling, insurance, drainage, roof and basement work, vehicle costs, fuel, groceries, prescriptions, North Alabama Medical Center care, and regional trips.

Request recent utility history, rent or tax terms, floodplain and insurance information, roof and basement records, drainage, internet, tree work, and the cost of a typical hospital and grocery loop. A lower housing figure can be offset by cooling, repairs, or regional travel.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,584 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$624
Utilities (in rent)
$261
Food
$460/mo
Transportation
$1,064/mo
Healthcare
$436

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$3,508

Very Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,050

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$624

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$224/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Low

Good

Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
10.5%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
23.2%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
19.3%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$51,127

Could Florence fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,584 per month
Two people
$4,050 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$624
Food
$460
Transportation
$1,064
Healthcare
$436

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Florence in everyday life

Could Florence work for you?

What may work well

  • The catalog supplies clear planning rent anchors for the city.
  • North Alabama Medical Center, parks, utilities, downtown, and emergency resources provide identifiable household resources.

What to think about

  • Cooling, drainage, utilities, maintenance, vehicle use, weather, and regional care can change the total substantially.
  • A home near a flood-prone route may add insurance, basement, detour, and recovery costs.

Price a Florence household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep housing, utilities, insurance, heating, cooling, drainage, repairs, internet, vehicle, and service distance visible.

  2. Map recurring care

    Price North Alabama Medical Center, pharmacy, groceries, specialists, referrals, fuel, parking, and storm routes.

  3. Reserve for heat and rain

    Keep room for cooling, drainage, roof, basement, trees, power, phone, insurance, repairs, and a ride after difficult weather.

Questions retirees ask

Are $624 and $877 the full Florence budget?

No. They are the catalog's 2024 ACS one-bedroom and two-bedroom gross-rent anchors. Add utilities, cooling, insurance, maintenance, vehicles, care, groceries, drainage, and regional travel.

Why do Florence homes have different budgets?

Floodplain and drainage, cooling, utilities, insurance, roof, basement, vehicle use, traffic, and care distance vary by address.

Florence affordability depends on the actual home, cooling and drainage plan, utilities, property work, vehicle use, local care, regional referrals, and weekly services.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.