salaryRent is lower than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.9 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 64.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,360 a year. That is $25 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 72 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Auburn?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Auburn
| Size | Auburn | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $727 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,002 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,180 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,281 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,895 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Auburn overall?
Everyday prices in the Auburn-Opelika metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Auburn
Life in Auburn
What jobs pay in Auburn
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,180 | 11.6% |
| Software Developer | $120,310 | 12.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $108,500 | 14.2% |
| Operations Manager | $103,380 | 14.9% |
| Lawyer | $100,560 | 15.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,590 | 15.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,900 | 16.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,040 | 19.7% |
| Accountant | $72,570 | 21.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $60,490 | 25.5% |
| Police Officer | $60,230 | 25.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,970 | 25.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $59,650 | 25.8% |
| Electrician | $53,860 | 28.6% |
| Plumber | $51,570 | 29.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $50,630 | 30.4% |
| Truck Driver | $49,210 | 31.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,170 | 32.0% |
| Carpenter | $47,610 | 32.4% |
| Firefighter | $44,400 | 34.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $35,810 | 43.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,530 | 43.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $35,450 | 43.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $33,090 | 46.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,580 | 50.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,140 | 52.9% |
| Cashier | $27,940 | 55.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,470 | 58.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Auburn?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,247 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $364,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Auburn, AL?
Renting in Auburn costs a median of about $1,284 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Auburn?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,360 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Auburn cheap or expensive?
Auburn is rated OK: rent takes 22.4% of the typical household income of $68,666. It ranks 72nd cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Auburn?
The median homeowner in Auburn pays $1,668 a year in property taxes, about 0.46% of the median home value.
Is Auburn more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Auburn?
The median home value in Auburn is $364,800, about 5.3 times the typical yearly household income.
80,594 people live in Auburn. Numbers are typical (middle) values.