Cost of Living in Russell 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 Russell County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Russell County ranks #1,626 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 48%)
Sourced county brief
Russell County Official Rent Burden Measures 32.1 Percent
In Russell County, Alabama, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was estimated at 32.1 percent according to the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. This official GRAPI figure differs from the Alabama unweighted county mean of 28.6 percent by 3.5 percentage points. The median gross rent in the county was $939 per month, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $820. For homeowners, the median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $775, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $706. The median home value in Russell County was $165,700, while the Alabama unweighted county mean was $159,660. Among renter-occupied units, the median renter-household income was recorded at $32,178. These data points provide a snapshot of local housing costs and income across different tenure groups within the county. 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: Russell County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 32.1% of renter household income in Russell 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 $939 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $775. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $37,560 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. Russell County's $939 median is 14.5% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Russell County
Rent Burden
22.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,195
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.2%
of gross income
The median home in Russell County may be a stretch
Median home value is $165,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,323 vs. your max of $1,195.
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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