Coaling is a small town of 2,203 in Alabama, with a median household income of $74,032
and a 12.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Coaling stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Coaling is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Coaling 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: 90.0
Coaling's overall cost of living index is 90.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Coaling costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Coaling, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$201,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$788
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
90.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$74,032
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Coaling's violent crime rate is 152.3 per 100,000 residents
— 60% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
152.3 /100k
Property Crime
862.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Coaling is served primarily by Tuscaloosa City.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Coaling, AL
National Avg
School District
Tuscaloosa City
—
Elementary Schools
12
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Coaling sees average highs of 56.0°F in January
and 92.2°F in July,
with 54.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Coaling's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Coaling roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $201,600 and median rent is $788/month.
Coaling's violent crime rate is 152.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 862.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Coaling are operated by Tuscaloosa City.
The district has 12 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. 15.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Coaling, AL has a population of 2,203, a median household income of $74,032, and an unemployment rate of 12.0%.
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.
Coaling averages 56.0°F in January and 92.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 54.9 inches
with about 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Coaling, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 35453.
The population of Coaling, Alabama is 2,203 with a median age of 35.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Coaling: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $201,600, median household income $74,032, crime index 40 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Coaling side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
