Cost of Living in St. Clair 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 St. Clair County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
St. Clair County ranks #2,327 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 26%)
Sourced county brief
St. Clair County Median Renter Income Reaches $50,811
In St. Clair County, Alabama, the median renter-household income was $50,811 according to the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 27.5 percent. This figure is 1.1 percentage points below the Alabama unweighted county mean of 28.6 percent. Median gross rent in the county was estimated at $1,084 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $820. For homeowners, the median home value was $226,300, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $159,660. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,021, while the state unweighted county mean was $706. The rentToIncomePct provided for this county is the official ACS B25071 GRAPI measurement. These statistics offer a snapshot of housing expenditures and income levels for both renters and owners 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: St. Clair County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.5% of renter household income in St. Clair 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 $1,084 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,021. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $43,360 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. St. Clair County's $1,084 median is 32.2% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in St. Clair County
Rent Burden
16.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,807
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in St. Clair County
Median home value is $226,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,807 vs. your max of $1,807.
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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