Alabama · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Daphne, AL

The median household in Daphne, AL earns $87,250 a year ($7,271/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

$87,250$7,271 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 Population29,453Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Daphne, 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 income18.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,800To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,181At 30% of $87,250
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Daphne, 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 Daphne, AL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,094$13,128$43,76015%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,200$14,400$48,00016.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,345$16,140$53,80018.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,692$20,304$67,68023.3%
4-Bedroom Home$2,171$26,052$86,84029.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Daphne, AL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Daphne, AL

Based on the local median household income of $87,250/year ($7,271/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,635/moRent ($1,345 2-BR), utilities (~$148/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,181/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,454/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.

$87,250
$30,000$175,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$87,250
Net 76%
Fed 12%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$66,606After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,551Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,562Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,365 / yr
Alabama state income tax$3,604 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,675 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Daphne, AL

What is the median household income in Daphne, AL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Daphne, AL is $87,250 per year (approximately $7,271 per month).

What is the average rent in Daphne, AL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Daphne, 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 Daphne, AL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Daphne, 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 Daphne, AL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,345/month) in Daphne, 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 Daphne, AL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $87,250/year ($7,271/month) in Daphne, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,635/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,181/month to discretionary spending, and $1,454/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Daphne, 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.