Centre is a small town of 3,609 in Alabama, with a median household income of $41,924
and a 7.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Centre stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Centre is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Centre city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.4
Centre's overall cost of living index is 89.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Centre costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Centre, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$165,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$649
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
66.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,924
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Centre's violent crime rate is 390.1 per 100,000 residents
— 3% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
390.1 /100k
Property Crime
3355.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Centre is served primarily by Cherokee County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.6:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Centre, AL
National Avg
School District
Cherokee County
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
75.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Centre sees average highs of 50.7°F in January
and 89.8°F in July,
with 57.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.2 inches of snow per year.
Centre's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Centre roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $165,100 and median rent is $649/month.
Centre's violent crime rate is 390.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3355.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Centre are operated by Cherokee County.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.6:1. 14.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Centre, AL has a population of 3,609, a median household income of $41,924, and an unemployment rate of 7.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Centre averages 50.7°F in January and 89.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 57.1 inches
with about 1.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Centre, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 35960.
The population of Centre, Alabama is 3,609 with a median age of 54.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Centre: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $165,100, median household income $41,924, crime index 125 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Centre side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
