Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,266$15,192 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Shelby County, AL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Shelby County, AL
Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.
| Bedroom Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Min. Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40h/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,024 | $12,288 | $40,960 | $19.69/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,155 | $13,860 | $46,200 | $22.21/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,266 | $15,192 | $50,640 | $24.35/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,583 | $18,996 | $63,320 | $30.44/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,801 | $21,612 | $72,040 | $34.63/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Shelby County, AL
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Shelby County, AL?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Shelby County, AL is $1,266 per month ($15,192 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Shelby County, AL?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,266/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $24.35 per hour ($50,640/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Shelby County, AL?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Shelby County, AL are: Studio: $1,024/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,155/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,266/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,583/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,801/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Shelby County, AL?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $97,961/year ($8,163/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 15.5% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Shelby County, AL?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,266/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,266 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $50,640 per year.