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Bessemer, Alabama Retirement Guide
established retirement community
61
Retirement Score
Bessemer, Alabama at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $118,600
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- N/A
- Cost of Living Index
- 88 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 61 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$118,600High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$879High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
45.4 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
46.6 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
45.4 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July HighData not available
Avg January LowData not available
Annual PrecipitationData not available
Sunny Days / YearData not available
Safety
Safety Score
88.5 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
23.7 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
3.6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
25,890High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
41.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
20.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$34,953High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
54.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
8.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
13.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
32.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
19.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
72.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
6.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
0.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Bessemer using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$257
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$289
Median home price used: $118,600
Median rent reference: $879 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.