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Birmingham, AL

Cost of living in Shelby County, AL

Part of the Birmingham Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,430/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 226,955 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,144 33%
Federal tax $677 20%
Healthcare $480 14%
Transport $320 9%
Groceries $306 9%
Energy $237 7%
State tax $211 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Shelby County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$998
per month
1 bedroom
$1,144
per month
2 bedroom
$1,267
per month
3 bedroom
$1,583
per month
4 bedroom
$1,791
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Shelby County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$93,543
per year
Individual earnings
$51,465
per year
Per capita
$47,914
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Shelby County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$298,700
Annual property tax
$1,343

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Shelby County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$179
per month · 15.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$58
per month
Annual total
$2,844
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Shelby County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Shelby County

State and local tax rates for Alabama.

State income tax
5.0%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
9.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Shelby County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
29.7 min
Drive alone
76.7%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
15.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Shelby County

What it costs to live in Shelby County each month.

Single person
$3,430
per month
  • Rent $1,144
  • Energy $237
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $677
  • State tax $211
Couple
$4,994
per month
  • Rent $1,267
  • Energy $284
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,201
  • State tax $386
Family
$7,440
per month
  • Rent $1,583
  • Energy $356
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,201
  • State tax $386

Frequently asked questions about Shelby County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Shelby County?

In Shelby County, AL, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,144 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,267 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,583 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Shelby County?

In Shelby County, AL, the average household income is $93,543 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $51,465 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Shelby County?

The estimated cost of living in Shelby County, AL is approximately $3,430 per month for a single person, $4,994 for a couple, $7,440 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Shelby County?

The combined sales tax rate in Shelby County, AL is 9.24%, which includes the Alabama state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 5.24%.

Is Shelby County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Shelby County, AL would need approximately $3,430 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $93,543 per year ($7,795 per month). Shelby County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Shelby County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Shelby County, AL is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Shelby County?

The average home value in Shelby County, AL is $298,700, with average annual property taxes of $1,343, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Shelby County compare to other areas?

You can compare Shelby County, AL with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Shelby County is in the Birmingham, AL metro area.

Other counties in Alabama

Browse the full list of counties in Alabama, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Alabama

Compare Shelby County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources