In Arab, a typical home is worth $215,200 and typical rent is $718 a month. Compared with all of Marshall County, typical rent is 10% lower, the typical home value is 7% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $198,928 to $239,446.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Arab is in Marshall County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Marshall County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
70% of households in Arab own their home, against 76% in Marshall County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Arab
What homes there are in Arab, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Arab
Marshall County
Alabama
United States
Kind of home: Arab and its comparisons
Measure
Arab
Marshall County
Alabama
United States
Detached house
80%
76%
69%
61%
Attached house
1%
1%
2%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
9%
5%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
9%
4%
12%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
14%
12%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
1%
0%
0%
In Arab, 8 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Marshall County, 8.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Arab
Marshall County
Alabama
United States
Year built: Arab and its comparisons
Measure
Arab
Marshall County
Alabama
United States
Before 1960
15%
14%
16%
26%
1960–1979
36%
27%
26%
24%
1980–1999
33%
34%
29%
25%
2000–2009
10%
13%
15%
14%
2010 or later
7%
12%
13%
11%
In Arab, half of the homes were built before 1979; in Marshall County, before 1986.
Homes in Arab are smaller: 70% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Marshall County, 74%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K11%
$100K–$200K33%
$200K–$300K28%
$300K–$500K20%
$500K–$750K5%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M2%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Arab and its comparisons
Measure
Arab
Under $100K
11%
$100K–$200K
33%
$200K–$300K
28%
$300K–$500K
20%
$500K–$750K
5%
$750K–$1M
2%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
By price, most homes in Arab sit under the FHA limit for Marshall County ($541,287): about 93%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50018%
$500–$99959%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $925
$1,000–$1,49920%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Arab and its comparisons
Measure
Arab
Under $500
18%
$500–$999
59%
$1,000–$1,499
20%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
About 68% of rented homes in Arab cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Marshall County ($925).
With a mortgage
$1,285 a month
Marshall County: $1,308 a month
Without a mortgage
$430 a month
Marshall County: $394 a month
Owners with a mortgage
57%
Marshall County: 53%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Arab is $1,285 a month, near the figure in Marshall County ($1,308).
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Arab+45%
Marshall County+56%
Alabama+47%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Arab+26%
Marshall County+23%
Alabama+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Arab+38%
Marshall County+36%
Alabama+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Arab and its comparisons
Measure
Arab
Marshall County
Alabama
United States
Typical home value
+45%
+56%
+47%
+53%
Typical rent
+26%
+23%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
+38%
+36%
+27%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Arab rose 45%; in Marshall County, it rose 56%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Arab rose 26%, more than in Marshall County (23%).
The typical household income in Arab rose 38% over that time; home values changed +45% and rent +26%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Arab and its comparisons
Measure
Arab
Marshall County
Alabama
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.7%
7.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.1%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.57
2.71
2.48
2.53
Drive alone
82%
81%
81%
69%
Carpool
8%
11%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Work from home
8%
6%
9%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Households in Arab are smaller: 2.57 people on average; in Marshall County, 2.71.
To get to work, 82% of workers in Arab drive alone; in Marshall County, 81%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Arab?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Arab, worth $215,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 31% of the typical household income in Arab, which is $64,333 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $72,036 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Marshall County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Arab. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,532 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,681
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$211,302
Total interest
$304,014
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,634 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,501 a month
Tight
$1,501 to $1,930 a month
Your payment · 31%
Hard
more than $1,930 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Arab ($64,333 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,431
Property tax
$65
Home insurance
$90
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$95
You need at least $7,532 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,681; principal and interest $1,431.
The city and its county
Arab and Marshall County
Arab is in Marshall County, Alabama. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Arab
Map of Marshall County, Alabama, with Arab marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Arab
Marshall County
Other cities with a page
Arab's own numbers
Typical home value
$215,200
Typical monthly rent
$718
Typical yearly household income
$64,333
Households that own their home
70%
Effective property tax rate
0.36%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Marshall County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$925
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+60%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Marshall County.
A typical home in Arab is worth $215,200: 7% above the county and 3% above Alabama. With the typical household income in Arab ($64,333 a year), a typical home costs 3.3 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Arab3.3 years
Marshall3.2 years
Alabama3.3 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Marshall County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Marshall County rose 91% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Marshall County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Marshall County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.6% +3.6% 2016
2017: +1.4% +1.4% 2017
2018: +5.0% +5.0% 2018
2019: +4.2% +4.2% 2019
2020: +4.1% +4.1% 2020
2021: +12.9% +12.9% 2021
2022: +20.2% +20.2% 2022
2023: +8.9% +8.9% 2023
2024: +6.0% +6.0% 2024
2025: +1.8% +1.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Marshall County, Alabama and the United States
Period
County
Alabama
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.8%
+2.5%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+60%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+91%
+77%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Arab next to Marshall County, Alabama and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Arab$215,200
Marshall$201,500
Alabama$209,900
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Arab$718
Marshall$795
Alabama$1,007
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Arab$64,333
Marshall$62,571
Alabama$63,999
United States$80,734
See the full table
Arab next to Marshall County and Alabama
Measure
Arab
Marshall County
Alabama
U.S.
Typical home value
$215,200 ▲7% above the county
$201,500
$209,900
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$718 ▼10% below the county
$795
$1,007
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$64,333 ▲3% above the county
$62,571
$63,999
$80,734
Households that own their home
70% ▼6 points below the county
76%
70%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$768 ▲5% above the county
$733
$788
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.36%
0.36%
0.38%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
45% ▼2 points below the county
47%
49%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Marshall County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Arab
For a typical $215,200 home in Arab, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Arab's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,681a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,532
Cash to close
$13,988
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $95
Conventional, 5% down$1,641a month
Down payment
$10,760
Cash to close
$17,216
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $102
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,320a month
Down payment
$43,040
Cash to close
$49,496
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,519a month
Down payment
$32,280
Cash to close
$38,736
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Arab
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,681
$7,532
$211,302
7.18%
FHA MIP · $95
$13,988
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,641
$10,760
$204,440
7.18%
PMI · $102
$17,216
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,320
$43,040
$172,160
7.18%
None
$49,496
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,519
$32,280
$182,920
8.18%
None
$38,736
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Arab is $718 a month: 10% below the county. In Arab, 45% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Marshall County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($925 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $17.79 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Marshall County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$702
$13.50
$28,080
1 bedroom
$707
$13.60
$28,280
2 bedrooms
$925
$17.79
$37,000
3 bedrooms
$1,281
$24.63
$51,240
4 bedrooms
$1,285
$24.71
$51,400
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Arab
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Arab is in ZIP code 35016.
For 2 bedrooms it is $920: $5 less than the fair market rent for Marshall County ($925).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Arab, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
35016
$730
$810
$920
$1,270
$1,290
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
35016 $920$1,270
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Arab when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Arab. These are the largest.
Stone Creek720 Cullman Rd, Arab 35016105 low-income homes · Run by Ha Arab · Average payment: $396 a month · Average wait: 10 months(256) 586-5904
Mallard Pointe Apts110 8th St NW, Arab 3501674 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 50 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2004 · For people with disabilities, families
Amberwood Apartments570 S Main St, Arab 3501670 low-income homes · For families(256) 586-4518
Waterford Farms Apartments644 Cullman Rd, Arab 3501648 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2015 · For families
Annie Lee Gardens1621 Sundown Dr NW, Arab 3501640 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 28 · In service since 2009 · For older adults, people with disabilities
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Marshall County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Arab or Marshall County. The ones below are statewide in Alabama: they work in Arab the same as in the rest of the state.
Alabama state authority program with down payment assistance of 4% of the price (up to $10,000) as a 10-year second mortgage, alongside a 30-year fixed mortgage.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
Alabama state authority 30-year low-rate mortgage, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before, with down payment assistance of 4% of the price, up to $10,000, as a ten-year second mortgage.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
Alabama state authority grant for closing costs with an HFA Advantage conventional loan: 1% of the loan if you earn up to 50% of the area median, or half a percent if you earn 50% to 80%.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Arab or Marshall County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Arab and all of Marshall County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Arab?
The typical home value in Arab is $215,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Marshall County it is $201,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Arab?
Typical rent in Arab is $718 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Marshall County is $925.
What is the FHA loan limit in Arab?
Arab uses the FHA limit for all of Marshall County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Arab?
The typical homeowner in Arab pays $768 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.36% of the home’s value; in Marshall County, the rate is 0.36%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Arab?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Marshall County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
