Alabama · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Butler County, AL

The median household in Butler County, AL earns $44,755 a year ($3,730/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $837/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $33,480 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 11.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$44,755$3,730 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$837HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)88.8-11.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential AL
Census Population18,630Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$837Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$33,480To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,119At 30% of $44,755
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Butler County, AL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Butler County, AL. 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 Butler County, AL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$622$7,464$24,88016.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$638$7,656$25,52017.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$837$10,044$33,48022.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,004$12,048$40,16026.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,139$13,668$45,56030.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Butler County, AL →

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

Based on the local median household income of $44,755/year ($3,730/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,865/moRent ($837 2-BR), utilities (~$148/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,119/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 88.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$746/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.

$44,755
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,755
Net 81%
Fed 7%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,302After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,025Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,396Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,191 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,838 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,424 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Butler County, AL

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Butler County, AL is $44,755 per year (approximately $3,730 per month).

What is the average rent in Butler County, AL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Butler County, AL are $622 for a studio, $638 for 1 bedroom, $837 for 2 bedrooms, $1,004 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,139 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Butler County, AL is 88.8 (11.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($837/month) in Butler County, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $33,480 per year ($2,790 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $44,755/year ($3,730/month) in Butler County, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,865/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,119/month to discretionary spending, and $746/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Butler 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.