Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,963$4,580 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Dale County, AL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Dale County, AL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Dale 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 | $603 | $7,236 | $24,120 | 13.2% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $690 | $8,280 | $27,600 | 15.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $776 | $9,312 | $31,040 | 16.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,079 | $12,948 | $43,160 | 23.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,302 | $15,624 | $52,080 | 28.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Dale County, AL
Based on the local median household income of $54,963/year ($4,580/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 Dale County, AL
What is the median household income in Dale County, AL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Dale County, AL is $54,963 per year (approximately $4,580 per month).
What is the average rent in Dale County, AL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Dale County, AL are $603 for a studio, $690 for 1 bedroom, $776 for 2 bedrooms, $1,079 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,302 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Dale County, AL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Dale 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 Dale County, AL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($776/month) in Dale County, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $31,040 per year ($2,587 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Dale County, AL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,963/year ($4,580/month) in Dale County, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,290/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,374/month to discretionary spending, and $916/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Dale 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.