salaryRent is higher than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (83.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $79,720 a year. That is $38 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 113 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Pelham?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Pelham
| Size | Pelham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,134 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,409 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,818 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Pelham 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 Pelham, so the Alabama figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Pelham
Life in Pelham
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Pelham?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $87 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $299,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,980 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Pelham, AL?
Renting in Pelham costs a median of about $1,993 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Pelham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,720 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Pelham cheap or expensive?
Pelham is rated OK: rent takes 21.9% of the typical household income of $109,030. It ranks 113th cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Pelham?
The median homeowner in Pelham pays $1,454 a year in property taxes, about 0.48% of the median home value.
Is Pelham 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 Pelham?
The median home value in Pelham is $299,800, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
24,827 people live in Pelham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.