Elba is a small town of 3,463 in Alabama, with a median household income of $41,509
and a 11.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Elba stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Elba is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Elba 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: 86.3
Elba's overall cost of living index is 86.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Elba costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Elba, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$91,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$636
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
77.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,509
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Elba's violent crime rate is 451.1 per 100,000 residents
— 19% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
451.1 /100k
Property Crime
3044.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Elba is served primarily by Coffee County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.2:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Elba, AL
National Avg
School District
Coffee County
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
81.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Elba sees average highs of 61.0°F in January
and 91.5°F in July,
with 62.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Elba's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Elba roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $91,700 and median rent is $636/month.
Elba's violent crime rate is 451.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3044.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Elba are operated by Coffee County.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.2:1. 13.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Elba, AL has a population of 3,463, a median household income of $41,509, and an unemployment rate of 11.2%.
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.
Elba averages 61.0°F in January and 91.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 62.5 inches
with about 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Elba, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 36323.
The population of Elba, Alabama is 3,463 with a median age of 49.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Elba: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $91,700, median household income $41,509, crime index 129 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elba side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.