Living in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Muscle Shoals · Census data 2020–2024
Muscle Shoals has 16,951 residents with a median age of 38. The median household income is $75,894 (19% higher than the Alabama median), the median home value is $199,700, the median rent is $1,029/month.
Muscle Shoals at a glance
- Population
- 16,951
- Median age
- 38State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $75,894State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $199,700State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $1,029/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 67.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Muscle Shoals a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 19% higher than the Alabama median; home values 5% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Muscle Shoals
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Muscle Shoals the median home value is $199,700, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,029 per month, which is 23.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,420 a month in housing costs.
Muscle Shoals median household income
The median household income in Muscle Shoals is $75,894 and the income per person is $35,651. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Muscle Shoals: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 7,273
- Owner-occupied
- 67.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 32.9%
- Vacant
- 4.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 2.43
Muscle Shoals demographics
- Population
- 16,951
- Median age
- 38
- Under 18
- 22.5%
- 65 and older
- 17.9%
- Households
- 6,934
- Foreign-born
- 2%
- Veterans
- 8.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Muscle Shoals ›
Education in Muscle Shoals
24% of adults 25 and older in Muscle Shoals have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 8.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Muscle Shoals
- Unemployment rate
- 2.3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 13.7%
- Drive alone
- 77.7%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 0.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.2%
Muscle Shoals vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | $199,700 | $1,029 |
| Sheffield | 9,340 | $39,733 | $133,800 | $829 |
| Tuscumbia | 9,115 | $59,143 | $196,700 | $748 |
| Florence | 41,701 | $52,174 | $196,300 | $820 |
| Leighton | 893 | $33,894 | — | $388 |
| St. Florian | 697 | $58,750 | $314,000 | $629 |
| Underwood-Petersville | 3,100 | $48,219 | $142,900 | $820 |
| Killen | 1,150 | $69,722 | $175,000 | $960 |
| Littleville | 932 | $55,817 | $142,400 | $817 |
More for people moving to Muscle Shoals
Muscle Shoals ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Muscle Shoals: FAQ
What is the median household income in Muscle Shoals, AL?
The median household income in Muscle Shoals is $75,894, 19% higher than the Alabama median of $63,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Muscle Shoals?
The median home value in Muscle Shoals is $199,700, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Muscle Shoals?
The median gross rent in Muscle Shoals is $1,029 per month, about 23.3% of household income.
Is Muscle Shoals, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 19% higher than the Alabama median; home values 5% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
What is the median age in Muscle Shoals?
The median age in Muscle Shoals is 38 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Muscle Shoals?
The average commute to work in Muscle Shoals is 22 minutes; 13.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Muscle Shoals?
The unemployment rate in Muscle Shoals is 2.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Muscle Shoals?
24% of adults in Muscle Shoals have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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