Alabama · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Baldwin County, AL

The median household in Baldwin County, AL earns $78,775 a year ($6,565/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,345/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $53,800 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$78,775$6,565 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,345HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.7-5.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential AL
Census Population246,989Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Baldwin County, AL

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,345Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,800To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,969At 30% of $78,775
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Baldwin County, AL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Baldwin County, AL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,094$13,128$43,76016.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,200$14,400$48,00018.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,345$16,140$53,80020.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,692$20,304$67,68025.8%
4-Bedroom Home$2,171$26,052$86,84033.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Baldwin County, AL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Baldwin County, AL

Based on the local median household income of $78,775/year ($6,565/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,282/moRent ($1,345 2-BR), utilities (~$148/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,969/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,313/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Alabama

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Alabama state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$78,775
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$78,775
Net 77%
Fed 11%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,974After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,081Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,345Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,501 / yr
Alabama state income tax$3,274 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,026 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Alabama with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Baldwin County, AL

What is the median household income in Baldwin County, AL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Baldwin County, AL is $78,775 per year (approximately $6,565 per month).

What is the average rent in Baldwin County, AL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Baldwin County, AL are $1,094 for a studio, $1,200 for 1 bedroom, $1,345 for 2 bedrooms, $1,692 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,171 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Baldwin County, AL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Baldwin County, AL is 94.7 (5.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Baldwin County, AL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,345/month) in Baldwin County, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $53,800 per year ($4,483 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Baldwin County, AL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $78,775/year ($6,565/month) in Baldwin County, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,282/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,969/month to discretionary spending, and $1,313/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Baldwin County, AL?

Residential electricity rates in Alabama average 16.4¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $148 per month.