Cost of Living in Clarke 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 Clarke County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Clarke County ranks #598 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 19%)
Sourced county brief
Clarke County Rent-to-Income Percentage Reaches 32.7 Percent
The official ACS B25071 Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) for Clarke County was 32.7%. This canonical rent-to-income percentage is 4.1 percentage points higher than the Alabama unweighted county mean of 28.6%. The median renter-household income was $25,360, while the median gross rent was $782 per month. In comparison, the state unweighted county mean for rent was $820. For owner-occupied households, the median home value was $121,700, and median selected monthly owner costs were $612. These figures are both below the state unweighted county means of $159,660 and $706, respectively. The data represents a snapshot of the 2020-2024 period without making comparisons to previous years or future outcomes. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
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: Clarke County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 32.7% of renter household income in Clarke County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $782 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $612. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $31,280 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. Clarke County's $782 median is 4.7% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Clarke County
Rent Burden
19.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,149
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.9%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Clarke County
Median home value is $121,700. Estimated monthly cost: $972 vs. your max of $1,149.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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
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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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