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Can You Afford a 2-Bedroom in Birmingham? The Salary Math.

A 2-bedroom in Birmingham runs $1,266/month per HUD Fair Market Rents. To keep rent under 30% of take-home, you need at least $5,781/year before taxes. The Birmingham median wage of around $204,950 puts most workers in the stretch zone for a 2-bedroom.

Salary thresholds at the HUD FMR of $1,266/month

Rent burden based on estimated take-home after federal, state, and FICA taxes (single filer). Verdict uses 30% rule.

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly take-homeRent burdenVerdict
Entry-level (10th pct.)$174,770$10,32412.3%Comfortable
Early career (25th pct.)$174,770$10,32412.3%Comfortable
Median$204,950$12,09910.5%Comfortable
Experienced (75th pct.)$208,240$12,28110.3%Comfortable
Top earners (90th pct.)$307,425$17,3287.3%Comfortable

Verdict guide: Comfortable <25% | OK 25–30% | Stretch 30–40% | Too much >40%

Jobs that pay enough to afford a 2-Bedroom in Birmingham

These occupations have median salaries that keep rent under 30% of take-home.

Pediatricians, General
$204,950/yr median
Family Medicine Physicians
$236,160/yr median
Education Administrators, All Other
$77,580/yr median
Computer Programmers
$96,190/yr median
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
$120,040/yr median
Chemical Engineers
$92,920/yr median
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
$71,700/yr median

Keep exploring Birmingham

Top paying jobs in BirminghamCost of living in BirminghamCan you afford a 1-bedroom?Can you afford a 3-bedroom?

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Birmingham?
You need roughly $5,781/year gross to keep a 2-bedroom at $1,266/month under the 30% rent burden threshold. That assumes a 27% effective tax rate and single filing.
How much is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Birmingham?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Birmingham is $1,266/month (FY2025). FMRs set the baseline for affordable housing calculations and vary by metro area.
Is Birmingham expensive for renters?
Birmingham is below the national average in cost. A 2-bedroom at the HUD FMR of $1,266/month is more manageable here than in most metros.
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The standard guideline is 30% of your gross monthly income before taxes. Go above that and you risk being "rent-burdened," which the Census Bureau defines as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Budget carefully if your rent burden sits above 40%.
Which jobs pay enough to afford rent in Birmingham?
The following occupations in Birmingham have median salaries that keep 2-bedroom rent under 30% of take-home pay: Pediatricians, General, Family Medicine Physicians, Education Administrators, All Other, Computer Programmers, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Chemical Engineers, Electrical and Electronics Drafters.

Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."

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