Cost of Living in Franklin 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 Franklin County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Franklin County ranks #204 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 6%)
Sourced county brief
Franklin County Median Gross Rent as Percentage of Income at 22.8%
In Franklin County, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 22.8%. This metric is 5.8 percentage points lower than the Alabama unweighted county mean for GRAPI of 28.6%. The median gross rent in the county was estimated at $676 per month, which is $144 below the state unweighted county mean of $820. Median renter-household income is reported at $31,716. For those in owner-occupied housing, the median home value was estimated at $136,000, which is $23,660 below the state unweighted mean of $159,660. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units is $575, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $706. These data points represent a snapshot of the housing costs and income levels for different tenure groups during the 2020-2024 period. 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: Franklin County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 22.8% of renter household income in Franklin 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 $676 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $575. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $27,040 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. Franklin County's $676 median is 17.6% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Franklin County
Rent Burden
15.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,245
per month
Owner Cost Burden
12.9%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Franklin County
Median home value is $136,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,086 vs. your max of $1,245.
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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