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Retirement community in Anniston, Alabama

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Anniston, Alabama Retirement Guide

established retirement community
64

Retirement Score

Anniston, Alabama at a Glance

Median Home Price
$131,800
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.
Avg January Low
37°F
Cost of Living Index
88 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
64 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Anniston, Alabama, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
88 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$45,642High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Anniston's cost of living is 12% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$131,800High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$806High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
61.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Anniston using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$286

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$321

Median home price used: $131,800

Median rent reference: $806 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Anniston, Alabama after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
54.7 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
54.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
43.2 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Anniston scores 54.7 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Anniston

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Anniston →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Alabama has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
90.6°FMedium confidence
Avg January Low
37°FMedium confidence
Annual Precipitation
51.6"Medium confidence
Sunny Days / Year
307 daysMedium confidence

With 307 sunny days a year and an average January low of 37°F, Anniston offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
88.5 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
16.9 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
1.6 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
21,502High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
42.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
22.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
11.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
22.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
44.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
50.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
3.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
0.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Anniston

Is Anniston, Alabama a good place to retire?▾

Anniston, Alabama is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Anniston, Alabama for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 88, roughly 12% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $131,800.

Does Alabama tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Alabama residents: State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.

What is the climate like in Anniston, Alabama?▾

Anniston, Alabama has January average low around 37°F, July average high around 91°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Anniston, Alabama?▾

Anniston scores 55/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a solid score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Interested in Anniston? Talk to a Local Expert.

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