salaryRent is lower than in 87% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $40,800 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Alabama. It is number 46 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Decatur?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Decatur
| Size | Decatur | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $752 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $939 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,186 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,451 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Decatur overall?
Everyday prices in the Decatur metro area are 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Decatur
Life in Decatur
What jobs pay in Decatur
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $139,010 | 8.8% |
| Pharmacist | $133,410 | 9.2% |
| Operations Manager | $117,380 | 10.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $107,760 | 11.4% |
| Software Developer | $107,740 | 11.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $103,490 | 11.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,740 | 12.3% |
| Accountant | $72,030 | 17.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $68,320 | 17.9% |
| Electrician | $63,930 | 19.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,340 | 20.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,090 | 20.0% |
| Plumber | $59,920 | 20.4% |
| Truck Driver | $59,390 | 20.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,010 | 21.1% |
| Police Officer | $57,120 | 21.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $56,450 | 21.7% |
| Carpenter | $50,950 | 24.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,750 | 25.1% |
| Firefighter | $43,650 | 28.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,070 | 29.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,690 | 33.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,280 | 33.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,160 | 33.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $32,410 | 37.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,550 | 38.8% |
| Cashier | $28,880 | 42.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,010 | 45.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Decatur?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $438 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $210,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,020 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Decatur, AL?
Renting in Decatur costs a median of about $1,020 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Decatur?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $40,800 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Decatur cheap or expensive?
Decatur is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.4% of the typical household income of $66,396. It ranks 46th cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Decatur?
The median homeowner in Decatur pays $751 a year in property taxes, about 0.36% of the median home value.
Is Decatur more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Decatur?
The median home value in Decatur is $210,200, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
57,361 people live in Decatur. Numbers are typical (middle) values.