Cost of Living in Baldwin County, Alabama
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Baldwin County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Baldwin County ranks #2,598 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 17%)
Sourced county brief
Baldwin County Rent and Owner-Cost Snapshot
Baldwin County's 2020-2024 ACS snapshot reports median gross rent of $1,277 per month and median selected monthly owner costs of $1,159. ACS table B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.6% of household income among renter-occupied units. This median percentage is not a household-count statistic. Median renter-household income is $51,111, while the median owner-occupied home value is $316,900. The county rent estimate is 55.7% above the Alabama unweighted mean of county median rents, $820 per month. That comparison gives every county equal weight and is not an official household-weighted statewide median. The figures describe one five-year survey release; they do not measure current listings or changes over time. See ACS tables B25088, B25077, B25064, B25119, and B25071 for the underlying estimates.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Baldwin County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.6% of renter household income in Baldwin County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,277 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,159. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $51,080 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Alabama unweighted mean of county median rents is $820 per month. Baldwin County's $1,277 median is 55.7% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Baldwin County
Rent Burden
19.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,838
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.7%
of gross income
The median home in Baldwin County may be a stretch
Median home value is $316,900. Estimated monthly cost: $2,530 vs. your max of $1,838.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Baldwin County, Alabama?
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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