What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in Alabama this week

Out of reach · #25 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median Alabama household earning $68,410 a year can afford a home of about $216,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median Alabama listing is $325,000, which would take 42.1% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$216,000

Affordable home price

+$1,423 vs. last week · −$9,338 vs. a year ago

$325,000

Median list price (September 2026)

−$4,900 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · Alabama 68 a year ago

42.1%

Share of income the median listing takes

$2,402/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$68,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#25

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $329,900 and median income of $64,840 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $225,000 and the median listing took 41% of income. Affordability in Alabama has worsened since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#23 Arkansas: can afford $215,000, median listing $319,000
#24 Maine: can afford $300,000, median listing $450,000
#26 Georgia: can afford $259,000, median listing $390,000
#27 Delaware: can afford $315,000, median listing $485,000

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How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.