High Housing Costs: The 50 Alabama Counties Where Rent Takes the Biggest Bite Out of Paychecks

Ashley

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Counties in Alabama where individuals allocate the largest portion of their earnings towards housing

It’s widely known that numerous Americans are eschewing homeownership in preference for renting. In 2020, renters in the U.S. occupied 43 million housing units.

The Stacker team examined statistics from a United States Census survey that disclosed an estimated 43,378,800 renter-occupied residences in the U.S. as of 2017, comprising 36.1% of all households nationwide. In 2019, renting was seen as more cost-effective than purchasing a median-priced home in 59% of counties; however, in 2021, the reverse was observed: Owning proved to be more economical than renting in 63% of U.S. counties.

Stacker has compiled a list of counties in Alabama where individuals commit the highest percentage of their income to rent using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Naturally, saving funds through homeownership remains unfeasible for many Americans who lack savings for a down payment, those who are declined a mortgage, or both. Continue reading to discover where in your home state the majority of people’s after-tax income is allocated to their monthly rent.

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#50. Cherokee County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 15.5%
— Percentage of households dedicating <20% of income to housing: 57.7%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 19.1%
– Total occupied residences: 10,737
– Average household income: $41,919
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $542

#49. Jackson County

– Average percentage of income assigned to housing: 15.8%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income to housing: 55.5%
— Percentage of households setting aside >30% of income for housing: 20.5%
– Total occupied residences: 20,695
– Average household income: $41,769
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $549

#48. Covington County

– Average percentage of income assigned to housing: 15.9%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income to housing: 58.3%
— Percentage of households designating >30% of income for housing: 20.6%
– Total occupied residences: 14,852
– Average household income: $42,189
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $558

#47. Chilton County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 15.9%
— Percentage of households assigning <20% of income for housing: 54.7%
— Percentage of households committing >30% of income to housing: 23.3%
– Total occupied residences: 16,927
– Average household income: $47,468
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $629

#46. Morgan County

– Average percentage of income allocated for housing: 15.9%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 56.1%
— Percentage of households devoting >30% of income to housing: 21.6%
– Total occupied residences: 45,918
– Average household income: $52,156
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $693

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#45. Tallapoosa County

– Average percentage of income allocated for housing: 16.2%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income to housing: 55.0%
— Percentage of households devoting >30% of income to housing: 24.2%
– Total occupied residences: 16,205
– Average household income: $45,828
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $618

#44. Winston County

– Average percentage of income linked to housing: 16.2%
— Percentage of households devoting <20% of income for housing: 54.2%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 18.7%
– Total occupied residences: 9,592
– Average household income: $35,788
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $483

#43. Geneva County

– Average percentage of income dedicated to housing: 16.2%
— Percentage of households assigning <20% of income to housing: 54.1%
— Percentage of households committing >30% of income on housing: 19.6%
– Total occupied residences: 10,383
– Average household income: $41,732
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $564

#42. Coffee County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 16.2%
— Percentage of households expending <20% of income on housing: 55.1%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 21.0%
– Total occupied residences: 19,924
– Average household income: $55,637
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $752

#41. Escambia County

– Average percentage of income dedicated to housing: 16.4%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income on housing: 53.9%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 20.4%
– Total occupied residences: 13,089
– Average household income: $36,275
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $495

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#40. Colbert County

– Average percentage of income allotted to housing: 16.4%
— Percentage of households assigning <20% of income to housing: 54.2%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 23.9%
– Total occupied residences: 21,880
– Average household income: $48,065
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $657

#39. Marion County

– Average percentage of income rewarded to housing: 16.5%
— Percentage of households dedicating <20% of income for housing: 55.4%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 21.6%
– Total occupied residences: 11,997
– Average household income: $35,930
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $493

#38. Lauderdale County

– Average percentage of income expended on housing: 16.6%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income for housing: 54.7%
— Percentage of households assigning >30% of income on housing: 22.6%
– Total occupied residences: 38,471
– Average household income: $48,094
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $664

#37. St. Clair County

– Average percentage of income spent on housing: 16.7%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 57.4%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 21.2%
– Total occupied residences: 32,036
– Average household income: $58,308
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $812

#36. Etowah County

– Average percentage of income allocated for housing: 16.8%
— Percentage of households committing <20% of income to housing: 55.1%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 22.4%
– Total occupied residences: 38,942
– Average household income: $44,637
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $625

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#35. DeKalb County

– Average percentage of income designated for housing: 16.9%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 54.8%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 19.8%
– Total occupied residences: 26,040
– Average household income: $40,440
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $569

#34. Madison County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 16.9%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income to housing: 55.6%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 23.1%
– Total occupied residences: 148,189
– Average household income: $65,449
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $921

#33. Clarke County

– Average percentage of income spent on housing: 17.0%
— Percentage of households dedicating <20% of income to housing: 50.4%
— Percentage of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.5%
– Total occupied residences: 9,090
– Average household income: $37,404
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $530

#32. Butler County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 17.0%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 54.2%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 24.0%
– Total occupied residences: 6,506
– Average household income: $40,688
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $577

#31. Coosa County

– Average percentage of income designated for housing: 17.1%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 59.7%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 20.1%
– Total occupied residences: 4,032
– Average household income: $38,990
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $556

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#30. Dale County

– Average percentage of income dedicated to housing: 17.2%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 52.0%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 23.3%
– Total occupied residences: 18,806
– Average household income: $47,214
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $676

#29. Calhoun County

– Average percentage of income allocated for housing: 17.2%
— Percentage of households assigning <20% of income to housing: 55.6%
— Percentage of households designating >30% of income towards housing: 24.1%
– Total occupied residences: 44,605
– Average household income: $47,255
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $678

#28. Shelby County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 17.3%
— Percentage of households expending <20% of income on housing: 56.7%
— Percentage of households designating >30% of income on housing: 20.2%
– Total occupied residences: 79,630
– Average household income: $77,799
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $1,121

#27. Marshall County

– Average percentage of income spent on housing: 17.4%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income on housing: 53.7%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 23.5%
– Total occupied residences: 34,883
– Average household income: $45,983
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $665

#26. Elmore County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 17.7%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income on housing: 54.9%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 23.5%
– Total occupied residences: 29,708
– Average household income: $60,891
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $898

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#25. Cullman County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 17.9%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income to housing: 55.6%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 21.4%
– Total occupied residences: 31,034
– Average household income: $44,918
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $671

#24. Talladega County

– Average percentage of income assigned to housing: 18.0%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income on housing: 51.5%
— Percentage of households designating >30% of income for housing: 26.0%
– Total occupied residences: 31,395
– Average household income: $41,325
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $621

#23. Autauga County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 18.7%
— Percentage of households expending <20% of income on housing: 51.3%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 25.5%
– Total occupied residences: 21,397
– Average household income: $58,731
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $915

#22. Chambers County

– Average percentage of income dedicated to housing: 18.8%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 53.4%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 23.4%
– Total occupied residences: 13,448
– Average household income: $42,289
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $663

#21. Hale County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 18.9%
— Percentage of households expending <20% of income on housing: 48.8%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income on housing: 26.5%
– Total occupied residences: 5,650
– Average household income: $34,046
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $536

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#20. Houston County

– Average percentage of income apportioned to housing: 19.0%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income for housing: 52.0%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 24.7%
– Total occupied residences: 39,311
– Average household income: $47,580
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $753

#19. Marengo County

– Average percentage of income expended on housing: 19.4%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income for housing: 47.2%
— Percentage of households designating >30% of income for housing: 26.2%
– Total occupied residences: 7,361
– Average household income: $33,241
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $538

#18. Baldwin County

– Average percentage of income dedicated to housing: 19.6%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 53.5%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 24.3%
– Total occupied residences: 80,930
– Average household income: $58,320
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $951

#17. Wilcox County

– Average percentage of income linked to housing: 19.9%
— Percentage of households dedicating <20% of income for housing: 39.5%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 20.8%
– Total occupied residences: 3,854
– Average household income: $31,014
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $514

#16. Monroe County

– Average percentage of income assigned to housing: 19.9%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income for housing: 46.1%
— Percentage of households committing >30% of income for housing: 20.9%
– Total occupied residences: 8,166
– Average household income: $30,441
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $505

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#15. Tuscaloosa County

– Average percentage of income directed to housing: 20.1%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income on housing: 48.3%
— Percentage of households committing >30% of income to housing: 29.5%
– Total occupied residences: 72,461
– Average household income: $53,326
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $891

#14. Lee County

– Average percentage of income assigned to housing: 20.3%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income for housing: 47.1%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 28.9%
– Total occupied residences: 60,237
– Average household income: $51,463
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $870

#13. Barbour County

– Average percentage of income designated for housing: 20.4%
— Percentage of households committing <20% of income for housing: 46.3%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 26.9%
– Total occupied residences: 9,345
– Average household income: $32,525
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $552

#12. Jefferson County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 20.8%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 46.9%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 29.4%
– Total occupied residences: 261,231
– Average household income: $53,901
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $934

#11. Bullock County

– Average percentage of income apportioned to housing: 20.8%
— Percentage of households dedicating <20% of income on housing: 43.0%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 26.4%
– Total occupied residences: 3,521
– Average household income: $37,785
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $656

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#10. Macon County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 20.9%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 44.9%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 26.7%
– Total occupied residences: 7,474
– Average household income: $33,370
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $580

#9. Pike County

– Average percentage of income expended on housing: 20.9%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 47.2%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income on housing: 30.3%
– Total occupied residences: 11,601
– Average household income: $37,446
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $653

#8. Montgomery County

– Average percentage of income assigned to housing: 21.2%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income on housing: 45.5%
— Percentage of households expending >30% of income on housing: 30.6%
– Total occupied residences: 89,527
– Average household income: $50,124
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $885

#7. Mobile County

– Average percentage of income directed to housing: 21.4%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 46.3%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income on housing: 29.2%
– Total occupied residences: 156,251
– Average household income: $47,583
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $847

#6. Dallas County

– Average percentage of income allocated to housing: 21.5%
— Percentage of households committing <20% of income for housing: 46.4%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 29.4%
– Total occupied residences: 15,910
– Average household income: $33,845
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $605

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#5. Russell County

– Average percentage of income devoted to housing: 22.0%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income on housing: 42.3%
— Percentage of households designating >30% of income for housing: 33.1%
– Total occupied residences: 23,262
– Average household income: $42,443
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $778

#4. Lowndes County

– Average percentage of income assigned to housing: 22.8%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 37.9%
— Percentage of households committing >30% of income to housing: 32.6%
– Total occupied residences: 4,251
– Average household income: $30,036
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $571

#3. Sumter County

– Average percentage of income expended on housing: 23.0%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 40.1%
— Percentage of households devoting >30% of income for housing: 34.9%
– Total occupied residences: 5,202
– Average household income: $24,320
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $466

#2. Perry County

– Average percentage of income dedicated to housing: 23.7%
— Percentage of households allocating <20% of income for housing: 31.4%
— Percentage of households designating >30% of income for housing: 37.2%
– Total occupied residences: 3,070
– Average household income: $23,447
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $464

#1. Greene County

– Average percentage of income spent on housing: 26.4%
— Percentage of households designating <20% of income for housing: 36.6%
— Percentage of households allocating >30% of income for housing: 36.4%
– Total occupied residences: 2,951
– Average household income: $24,145
– Average monthly housing expenditure: $532

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