Alabama Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 67 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$799/mo
Average Home Value
$149,701
Average Owner Cost
$691/mo
At a Glance
Housing Costs in Alabama: An Overview
The median rent in Alabama is $799 per month, which is 31% below the national median of $1,163. This makes the state relatively affordable compared to much of the country.
Within Alabama, housing costs vary significantly by county. Shelby County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $1,348 per month and a median home value of $298,700. At the other end of the spectrum, Greene County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $429 per month and homes valued at a median of $86,400.
The average home value across Alabama counties is $149,701, 47% lower than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $54,196, homeownership remains within reach for many households.
Before moving to Alabama, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Alabama
How median rents are spread across 67 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
All Alabama Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County | Moderate$1,348/mo | $298,700 | $1,321/mo | 29.0% |
| Baldwin County | Moderate$1,211/mo | $287,000 | $1,098/mo | 27.0% |
| Autauga County | Moderate$1,200/mo | $197,900 | $953/mo | 25.0% |
| Jefferson County | Moderate$1,132/mo | $224,900 | $1,110/mo | 31.0% |
| Madison County | Moderate$1,116/mo | $267,800 | $1,097/mo | 27.0% |
| St. Clair County | Moderate$1,077/mo | $218,500 | $1,004/mo | 26.0% |
| Montgomery County | Moderate$1,061/mo | $160,100 | $991/mo | 30.0% |
| Mobile County | Moderate$1,021/mo | $176,600 | $991/mo | 32.0% |
| Elmore County | Moderate$1,014/mo | $213,600 | $982/mo | 27.0% |
| Lee County | Affordable$999/mo | $238,700 | $1,048/mo | 34.0% |
| Tuscaloosa County | Affordable$997/mo | $233,700 | $1,109/mo | 31.0% |
| Coffee County | Affordable$970/mo | $180,300 | $871/mo | 25.0% |
| Limestone County | Affordable$908/mo | $255,100 | $1,052/mo | 24.0% |
| Houston County | Affordable$905/mo | $178,000 | $854/mo | 27.0% |
| Russell County | Affordable$898/mo | $152,300 | $805/mo | 30.0% |
| Cullman County | Affordable$883/mo | $180,500 | $723/mo | 24.0% |
| Dale County | Affordable$863/mo | $129,100 | $587/mo | 24.0% |
| Chilton County | Affordable$855/mo | $142,300 | $654/mo | 21.0% |
| Pike County | Affordable$855/mo | $149,000 | $744/mo | 33.0% |
| Chambers County | Affordable$850/mo | $129,700 | $620/mo | 22.0% |
| Sumter County | Affordable$841/mo | $84,100 | $540/mo | 41.0% |
| Colbert County | Affordable$838/mo | $161,600 | $769/mo | 28.0% |
| Morgan County | Affordable$835/mo | $193,000 | $822/mo | 27.0% |
| Etowah County | Affordable$807/mo | $160,600 | $689/mo | 30.0% |
| Calhoun County | Affordable$804/mo | $149,500 | $713/mo | 27.0% |
| Bibb County | Affordable$802/mo | $132,600 | $566/mo | 33.0% |
| Lauderdale County | Affordable$799/mo | $185,800 | $713/mo | 26.0% |
| Cleburne County | Affordable$792/mo | $144,200 | $563/mo | 27.0% |
| Clarke County | Affordable$785/mo | $126,400 | $589/mo | 32.0% |
| Conecuh County | Affordable$781/mo | $101,300 | $453/mo | 34.0% |
| Talladega County | Affordable$772/mo | $137,900 | $745/mo | 26.0% |
| Henry County | Affordable$770/mo | $147,800 | $673/mo | 28.0% |
| Marshall County | Affordable$765/mo | $183,400 | $792/mo | 27.0% |
| Jackson County | Affordable$762/mo | $145,800 | $595/mo | 27.0% |
| Geneva County | Affordable$757/mo | $120,200 | $557/mo | 27.0% |
| Cherokee County | Affordable$750/mo | $165,900 | $590/mo | 26.0% |
| Dallas County | Affordable$749/mo | $97,400 | $531/mo | 36.0% |
| Winston County | Affordable$744/mo | $110,500 | $591/mo | 28.0% |
| Blount County | Affordable$743/mo | $169,700 | $746/mo | 30.0% |
| Walker County | Affordable$743/mo | $131,100 | $593/mo | 26.0% |
| Covington County | Affordable$736/mo | $142,500 | $552/mo | 29.0% |
| Tallapoosa County | Affordable$734/mo | $144,800 | $646/mo | 25.0% |
| Hale County | Affordable$723/mo | $126,300 | $542/mo | 31.0% |
| Butler County | Affordable$722/mo | $99,700 | $579/mo | 28.0% |
| Marengo County | Affordable$722/mo | $103,400 | $563/mo | 32.0% |
| Monroe County | Affordable$721/mo | $114,900 | $552/mo | 28.0% |
| Escambia County | Affordable$709/mo | $122,700 | $523/mo | 29.0% |
| Macon County | Affordable$709/mo | $95,700 | $613/mo | 33.0% |
| Lawrence County | Affordable$708/mo | $150,700 | $628/mo | 21.0% |
| Wilcox County | Affordable$699/mo | $84,200 | $516/mo | 30.0% |
| DeKalb County | Affordable$683/mo | $135,500 | $579/mo | 26.0% |
| Coosa County | Affordable$682/mo | $111,800 | $578/mo | 35.0% |
| Franklin County | Affordable$667/mo | $128,000 | $570/mo | 22.0% |
| Crenshaw County | Affordable$664/mo | $108,400 | $494/mo | 23.0% |
| Lowndes County | Affordable$663/mo | $80,600 | $686/mo | 35.0% |
| Choctaw County | Affordable$653/mo | $111,800 | $465/mo | 24.0% |
| Randolph County | Affordable$646/mo | $184,000 | $570/mo | 28.0% |
| Barbour County | Affordable$644/mo | $109,900 | $632/mo | 25.0% |
| Bullock County | Affordable$635/mo | $79,400 | $563/mo | 42.0% |
| Washington County | Affordable$628/mo | $152,800 | $529/mo | 25.0% |
| Clay County | Affordable$624/mo | $144,700 | $473/mo | 22.0% |
| Fayette County | Affordable$622/mo | $121,200 | $512/mo | 26.0% |
| Perry County | Affordable$610/mo | $87,700 | $417/mo | 26.0% |
| Pickens County | Affordable$600/mo | $123,300 | $559/mo | 30.0% |
| Marion County | Affordable$583/mo | $104,300 | $529/mo | 27.0% |
| Lamar County | Affordable$548/mo | $112,700 | $494/mo | 31.0% |
| Greene County | Affordable$429/mo | $86,400 | $461/mo | 25.0% |
Compare Alabama to Other States
See how Alabama counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Alabama Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Alabama?
What is the most expensive county to live in Alabama?
How does Alabama's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Alabama?
Planning a Move?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.