Income needed to buy a home
Shelby County, AL
$115,083
a year in household income to buy the typical Shelby County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$359,967
Down payment (10%)$35,997
Loan$323,970
Principal and interest (7.40%)$2,243/mo
Property tax (0.42% a year)$127/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$180/mo
Mortgage insurance$135/mo
Total monthly cost$2,685/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
A stretch
The typical household here earns $97,961 a year, 85% of what it takes.
In Alabama
Shelby County ranks #66 of 67 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Alabama
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas County | $88,696 | $28,151 |
| Sumter County | $100,676 | $31,651 |
| Butler County | $118,112 | $37,065 |
| Bullock County | $123,110 | $38,884 |
| Choctaw County | $125,093 | $38,894 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.