Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$86,499$7,208 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Madison County, AL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Madison County, AL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Huntsville, AL MSA. 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 | $1,030 | $12,360 | $41,200 | 14.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,136 | $13,632 | $45,440 | 15.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,310 | $15,720 | $52,400 | 18.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,690 | $20,280 | $67,600 | 23.4% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,109 | $25,308 | $84,360 | 29.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Madison County, AL
Based on the local median household income of $86,499/year ($7,208/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 Madison County, AL
What is the median household income in Madison County, AL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Madison County, AL is $86,499 per year (approximately $7,208 per month).
What is the average rent in Madison County, AL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Madison County, AL are $1,030 for a studio, $1,136 for 1 bedroom, $1,310 for 2 bedrooms, $1,690 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,109 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Madison County, AL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Madison County, AL is 93.1 (6.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Madison County, AL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,310/month) in Madison County, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $52,400 per year ($4,367 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Madison County, AL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $86,499/year ($7,208/month) in Madison County, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,604/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,162/month to discretionary spending, and $1,442/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Madison 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.