Alabama · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Pickens County, AL

Prices around Pickens County, AL run 12.3% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $46,274 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $776 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $31,040 a year.

Pickens County, AL at a glance

Median household income

$46,274$3,856 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$776HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)87.7-12.3% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential AL
Population18,721Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Pickens County, AL?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$776Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$31,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,157At 30% of $46,274
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Pickens County, AL? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Pickens County, AL HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Pickens County, AL, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$588$7,056$23,52015.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$591$7,092$23,64015.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$776$9,312$31,04020.1%
3-Bedroom Home$994$11,928$39,76025.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,290$15,480$51,60033.5%

Rent in Pickens County, AL, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Pickens County, AL

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $46,274 a year ($3,856 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,928/moRent ($776 2-BR), utilities (~$148/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,157/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$771/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $46,274 leaves after Alabama taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Alabama tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$46,274
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,274
Net 81%
Fed 7%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,456After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,121Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,441Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,373 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,905 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,540 / yr

Living in Pickens County, AL: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Pickens County, AL is $46,274 per year (approximately $3,856 per month).

What is the average rent in Pickens County, AL?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $588 for a studio, $591 for one bedroom, $776 for two, $994 for three and $1,290 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Pickens County, AL expensive to live in?

Prices there run 12.3% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 87.7, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

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

To keep a $776 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $31,040 a year, or $2,587 a month. That is 67% of what the typical household in Pickens County, AL earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Pickens County, AL?

On the local median income of $46,274 ($3,856 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,928 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,157 for everything else and $771 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $776 takes 40% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Pickens County, AL?

Homes in Alabama paid 16.4¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $148. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.