salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $35,400 a year. That is $17 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 30 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Gadsden?
Share of households by yearly income. 8.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Gadsden
| Size | Gadsden | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $567 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $763 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $812 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $982 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,081 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Gadsden overall?
Everyday prices in the Gadsden metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Gadsden
Life in Gadsden
What jobs pay in Gadsden
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $129,090 | 8.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $103,700 | 10.2% |
| Lawyer | $94,220 | 11.3% |
| Operations Manager | $91,470 | 11.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $78,830 | 13.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,810 | 13.6% |
| Accountant | $63,250 | 16.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,890 | 18.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $56,040 | 19.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $55,840 | 19.0% |
| Truck Driver | $54,410 | 19.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,300 | 21.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $48,670 | 21.8% |
| Police Officer | $48,340 | 22.0% |
| Plumber | $47,350 | 22.4% |
| Electrician | $44,490 | 23.9% |
| Carpenter | $41,180 | 25.8% |
| Firefighter | $36,700 | 28.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $35,450 | 30.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $34,250 | 31.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $31,960 | 33.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,440 | 34.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $28,790 | 36.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,300 | 37.5% |
| Cashier | $25,750 | 41.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $24,030 | 44.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Gadsden?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $75 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $116,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,680 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Gadsden, AL?
Renting in Gadsden costs a median of about $885 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Gadsden?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $35,400 a year, or $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Gadsden cheap or expensive?
Gadsden is rated OK: rent takes 24.4% of the typical household income of $43,512. It ranks 30th cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Gadsden?
The median homeowner in Gadsden pays $554 a year in property taxes, about 0.47% of the median home value.
Is Gadsden more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Gadsden?
The median home value in Gadsden is $116,800, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
33,374 people live in Gadsden. Numbers are typical (middle) values.