Cost of Living in Washington 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 Washington County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Washington County ranks #121 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 4%)
Sourced county brief
Washington County Official Median Rent Percentage at 20.6 Percent
In Washington County, Alabama, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 20.6%. This figure is 8.0 percentage points below the Alabama unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 28.6%. The median gross rent in the county was estimated at $655 per month, which is lower than the state unweighted county mean of $820. For homeowners, the median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units is $550, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $706. The median home value in the county is $159,700, which is $40 above the state unweighted county mean home value of $159,660. The median renter-household income in Washington County is $21,414. This analysis utilizes the official ACS B25071 estimate for the median gross rent as a percentage of household income. 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: Washington County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 20.6% of renter household income in Washington 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 $655 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $550. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $26,200 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. Washington County's $655 median is 20.1% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Washington County
Rent Burden
12.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,424
per month
Owner Cost Burden
10.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Washington County
Median home value is $159,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,275 vs. your max of $1,424.
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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