Alabama · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Morgan County, AL

The median household in Morgan County, AL earns $68,845 a year ($5,737/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $961/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 12.8% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$68,845$5,737 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$961HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)87.2-12.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential AL
Census Population124,471Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$961Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,721At 30% of $68,845
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Morgan County, AL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Decatur, 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 Morgan County, AL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$755$9,060$30,20013.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$776$9,312$31,04013.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$961$11,532$38,44016.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,262$15,144$50,48022%
4-Bedroom Home$1,550$18,600$62,00027%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Morgan County, AL →

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

Based on the local median household income of $68,845/year ($5,737/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,869/moRent ($961 2-BR), utilities (~$148/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,721/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,147/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.

$68,845
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,845
Net 79%
Fed 9%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,376After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,531Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,091Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,316 / yr
Alabama state income tax$2,886 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,267 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Morgan County, AL

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Morgan County, AL is $68,845 per year (approximately $5,737 per month).

What is the average rent in Morgan County, AL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Morgan County, AL are $755 for a studio, $776 for 1 bedroom, $961 for 2 bedrooms, $1,262 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,550 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Morgan County, AL is 87.2 (12.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($961/month) in Morgan County, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $38,440 per year ($3,203 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $68,845/year ($5,737/month) in Morgan County, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,869/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,721/month to discretionary spending, and $1,147/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Morgan 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.