salaryRent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 30.6 minutes each way. Most homes (87.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,800 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alabama. It is number 103 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Alabaster?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Alabaster
| Size | Alabaster | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,176 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,273 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,709 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,896 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Alabaster overall?
Everyday prices in Alabama overall are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Alabaster, so the Alabama figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Alabaster
Life in Alabaster
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Alabaster?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $121 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $261,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Alabaster, AL?
Renting in Alabaster costs a median of about $1,695 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Alabaster?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,800 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Alabaster cheap or expensive?
Alabaster is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $98,529. It ranks 103rd cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Alabaster?
The median homeowner in Alabaster pays $1,221 a year in property taxes, about 0.47% of the median home value.
Is Alabaster more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Alabama are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Alabaster?
The median home value in Alabaster is $261,700, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
33,917 people live in Alabaster. Numbers are typical (middle) values.