Hamilton is a small town of 6,880 in Alabama, with a median household income of $50,882
and a 6.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Hamilton stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hamilton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Hamilton 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: 86.1
Hamilton's overall cost of living index is 86.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Hamilton costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Hamilton, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$104,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$567
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
58.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$50,882
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Hamilton's violent crime rate is 186.7 per 100,000 residents
— 51% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
186.7 /100k
Property Crime
1737.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Hamilton is served primarily by Marion County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.0:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Hamilton, AL
National Avg
School District
Marion County
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
80.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Hamilton sees average highs of 52.5°F in January
and 91.5°F in July,
with 61.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.3 inches of snow per year.
Hamilton's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Hamilton roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $104,700 and median rent is $567/month.
Hamilton's violent crime rate is 186.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1737.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Hamilton are operated by Marion County.
The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.0:1. 11.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Hamilton, AL has a population of 6,880, a median household income of $50,882, and an unemployment rate of 6.9%.
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.
Hamilton averages 52.5°F in January and 91.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 61.7 inches
with about 1.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Hamilton, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 35570.
The population of Hamilton, Alabama is 6,880 with a median age of 46.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Hamilton: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $104,700, median household income $50,882, crime index 63 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hamilton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.