Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$49,249$4,104 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Clarke County, AL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Clarke County, AL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Clarke County, AL. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $588 | $7,056 | $23,520 | 14.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $603 | $7,236 | $24,120 | 14.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $791 | $9,492 | $31,640 | 19.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,034 | $12,408 | $41,360 | 25.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,261 | $15,132 | $50,440 | 30.7% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Clarke County, AL
Based on the local median household income of $49,249/year ($4,104/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Alabama with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Clarke County, AL
What is the median household income in Clarke County, AL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Clarke County, AL is $49,249 per year (approximately $4,104 per month).
What is the average rent in Clarke County, AL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Clarke County, AL are $588 for a studio, $603 for 1 bedroom, $791 for 2 bedrooms, $1,034 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,261 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Clarke County, AL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Clarke 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 Clarke County, AL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($791/month) in Clarke County, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $31,640 per year ($2,637 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Clarke County, AL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $49,249/year ($4,104/month) in Clarke County, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,052/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,231/month to discretionary spending, and $821/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Clarke 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.