Counties › Alabama

Cost of Living in Shelby County, AL

Population 230,211 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,401
Median home value$326,100
Median household income$97,961

The median rent in Shelby County, AL is $1,401/month, 39% higher than the Alabama median and about the same as the U.S. median. The median home value is $326,100, about the same as the national median. Households earn a median of $97,961 a year, 53% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 17.2%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $56,040/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.3×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,649/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Shelby County vs. Alabama vs. U.S.

Shelby CountyAlabamaU.S.
Median rent$1,401$1,007$1,413
Median home value$326,100$209,900$332,700
Median household income$97,961$63,999$80,734
Homeownership rate81.4%70.2%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher46.8%28.4%35.7%
Poverty rate7.2%15.6%12.5%
Unemployment rate2.9%4.7%5.2%
Work from home16.9%8.8%15.1%
Median age40.339.338.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Shelby County, AL?

The median gross rent in Shelby County, AL is $1,401 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Shelby County, AL?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $56,040 a year in gross income.

Is Shelby County, AL expensive to live in?

Rent there is about the same as the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.3 times the median household income.

Other counties in Alabama

Jefferson County, ALRent $1,193 · Income $66,388Mobile County, ALRent $1,052 · Income $58,880Madison County, ALRent $1,209 · Income $86,499Baldwin County, ALRent $1,277 · Income $78,775Tuscaloosa County, ALRent $1,037 · Income $66,231Montgomery County, ALRent $1,092 · Income $59,386

Counties with a similar cost of living

Oakland County, MIRent $1,376 · Income $97,760Columbia County, GARent $1,409 · Income $95,592Saratoga County, NYRent $1,394 · Income $100,787Boone County, KYRent $1,373 · Income $99,414Warren County, NJRent $1,409 · Income $100,869Culpeper County, VARent $1,423 · Income $100,049

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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