What are the schools like in Chatom, AL?

Chatom is served primarily by Washington County. The district operates 2 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.5:1.

What is the median household income in Chatom?

The median household income in Chatom, AL is $51,324 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

What is the weather like in Chatom, AL?

Chatom has an average high temperature of 59.4°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 62.9 inches.

Chatom, AL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Chatom, AL affordable or expensive?

Chatom's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Chatom is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $176,300 and the median rent is $380 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Chatom, AL?

Chatom has a violent crime rate of 153.1 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 588.0 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Chatom, AL a Good Place to Live?

Chatom is a small town of 702 in Alabama, with a median household income of $51,324 and a 3.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Chatom stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Chatom is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Chatom 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

Chatom's overall cost of living index is 89.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Chatom costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Chatom, AL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$176,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$380	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	66.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$51,324	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Chatom's violent crime rate is 153.1 per 100,000 residents — 60% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

153.1 /100k

Property Crime

588.0 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Chatom is served primarily by Washington County. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.5:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Chatom, AL	National Avg
School District	Washington County	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	16.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	24.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	77.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Chatom sees average highs of 59.4°F in January and 92.0°F in July, with 62.9 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Chatom, AL
Average High — January	59.4°F
Average High — July	92.0°F
Annual Precipitation	62.9"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Chatom, AL	National Avg
Population	702	—
Median Age	57.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	68.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	28.9%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	11.4%	22.2%
65 and over	39.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Hobson, AL 6 mi Tibbie, AL 7 mi Millry, AL 12 mi Fruitdale, AL 13 mi St. Stephens, AL 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Chatom

Chatom, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

36518

Chatom vs Other Cities

Chatom, AL vs Hobson, AL Chatom, AL vs Tibbie, AL Chatom, AL vs Millry, AL Chatom, AL vs Fruitdale, AL Chatom, AL vs St. Stephens, AL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chatom, AL affordable or expensive?

Chatom's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Chatom roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $176,300 and median rent is $380/month.

What is the crime rate in Chatom, AL?

Chatom's violent crime rate is 153.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 588.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Chatom?

Public schools in Chatom are operated by Washington County. The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.5:1. 24.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Chatom, AL a good place to live?

Chatom, AL has a population of 702, a median household income of $51,324, and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. 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.

What is the weather like in Chatom?

Chatom averages 59.4°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 62.9 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Chatom?

Chatom, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 36518.

What is the population of Chatom?

The population of Chatom, Alabama is 702 with a median age of 57.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Chatom?

Key numbers for living in Chatom: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $176,300, median household income $51,324, crime index 35 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Chatom side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.