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City · 24,827 residents · Shelby County, Alabama

Pelham , Alabama

In Pelham, a typical home is worth $299,800 and typical rent is $1,577 a month. Compared with all of Shelby County, typical rent is 13% higher and the typical home value is 8% lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $299,800

    8% below the county

    43% above Alabama

    • Pelham
    • Shelby
    • Alabama

  • Typical rent

    $1,577a month

    13% above the county

    57% above Alabama

    • Pelham
    • Shelby
    • Alabama

  • Typical household income

    $101,094a year

    3% above the county

    58% above Alabama

    • Pelham
    • Shelby
    • Alabama

  • Households that own their home

    84%

    3 points above the county

    14 points above Alabama

    • Pelham
    • Shelby
    • Alabama

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$325,023
2.2% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,808 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Pelham is in Shelby 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 Shelby County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Pelham apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Pelham has the 8th highest typical rent of the 117 cities in Alabama with more than 5,000 people ($1,577).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Pelham

What homes there are in Pelham, 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

The detached house is the most common home in Pelham: 77% of homes, near the figure in Shelby County (77%).

Year built

Here half of the homes date from 2001 or later; in Shelby County, from 1997 or later.

Much as in Shelby County, 82% of homes in Pelham have 3 bedrooms or more.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,656 a month

Shelby County: $1,734 a month

Without a mortgage

$548 a month

Shelby County: $556 a month

Owners with a mortgage

70%

Shelby County: 68%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Pelham is $1,656 a month, near the figure in Shelby County ($1,734).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, homes in Pelham gained value faster than in Shelby County: 59% against 54%.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Pelham rose 41%, more than in Shelby County (34%).

The typical household income in Pelham rose 26%: less than home values (+59%) and rent (+41%).

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasurePelhamShelby CountyAlabamaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.2%7.2%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.0%1.7%3.4%
People per household 2.612.612.482.53
Drive alone 75%75%81%69%
Carpool 6%7%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%1%3%
Work from home 19%17%9%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Shelby County, a household in Pelham has 2.61 people on average.

To get to work, 75% of workers in Pelham drive alone; in Shelby County, 75%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Pelham?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Pelham, worth $299,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 28% of the typical household income in Pelham, which is $101,094 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $101,640 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Shelby County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Pelham. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $10,493 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,372

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$294,370
Total interest
$423,529
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,063 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,359 a month

  • Tight

    $2,359 to $3,033 a month

    Your payment · 28%

  • Hard

    more than $3,033 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Pelham ($101,094 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,372
Principal & interest$1,994
Property tax$120
Home insurance$125
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$133

You need at least $10,493 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

The city and its county

Pelham and Shelby County

Pelham is in Shelby 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).

Pelham's own numbers

Typical home value
$299,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,577
Typical yearly household income
$101,094
Households that own their home
84%
Effective property tax rate
0.48%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Shelby County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,375
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+48%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.2%

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 Shelby County.

Everything about Shelby County

Buying

Buying a home in Pelham

A typical home in Pelham is worth $299,800: 8% below the county and 43% above Alabama. With the typical household income in Pelham ($101,094 a year), a typical home costs 3.0 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.

  • Pelham 3.0 years
  • Shelby 3.3 years
  • Alabama 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Shelby County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Shelby County rose 83% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Shelby County.

Period County Alabama U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.0% +2.5% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +48% +47% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +83% +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

Pelham next to Shelby 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
  • Pelham $299,800
  • Shelby $326,100
  • Alabama $209,900
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Pelham $1,577
  • Shelby $1,401
  • Alabama $1,007
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Pelham $101,094
  • Shelby $97,961
  • Alabama $63,999
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Pelham next to Shelby County and Alabama
Measure Pelham Shelby County Alabama U.S.
Typical home value $299,800 $326,100 $209,900 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,577 $1,401 $1,007 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $101,094 $97,961 $63,999 $80,734
Households that own their home 84% 81% 70% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,454 $1,423 $788 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.48% 0.44% 0.38% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 51% 47% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Shelby 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 Pelham

For a typical $299,800 home in Pelham, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Pelham's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,372a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $10,493
    Cash to close
    $19,487
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $133

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,317a month

    Down payment
    $14,990
    Cash to close
    $23,984
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $142

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,870a month

    Down payment
    $59,960
    Cash to close
    $68,954
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,147a month

    Down payment
    $44,970
    Cash to close
    $53,964
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

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.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Pelham and for Shelby County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Pelham

0.48%of the home’s value each year

$1,454 a year for the typical owner in Pelham.

  • Pelham 0.48%
  • Shelby 0.44%
  • Alabama 0.38%

What Alabama publishes Basic homestead exemption (type H-1) (Alabama Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Alabama

Flood risk in Shelby County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Shelby County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.2%
944
Of those, with NFIP insurance
31%
County Alabama U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.2% 3.2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 31% 29% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Pelham

Typical rent in Pelham is $1,577 a month: 13% above the county. In Pelham, 51% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Shelby County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,375 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.44 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Shelby County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,177 $22.63 $47,080
1 bedroom $1,263 $24.29 $50,520
2 bedrooms $1,375 $26.44 $55,000
3 bedrooms $1,727 $33.21 $69,080
4 bedrooms $1,941 $37.33 $77,640

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 Pelham

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Pelham is in ZIP code 35124.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,800: $425 more than the fair market rent for Shelby County ($1,375).

  • 35124 $1,800$2,260

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Pelham 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 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Pelham

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 Shelby County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man smiles on a bench outside his apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Pelham

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Pelham or Shelby County. The ones below are statewide in Alabama: they work in Pelham the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Alabama

  • Step Up

    Statewide in Alabama

    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).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

  • First Step Mortgage Revenue Bonds

    Statewide in Alabama

    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).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

  • Affordable Income Subsidy Grant

    Statewide in Alabama

    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).

    Grant

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Pelham

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Pelham, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Birmingham, AL

    529 Beacon Pkwy W Ste 204, Birmingham · 11 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (205) 942-8111

  • Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama

    200 6th Ave SW, Birmingham · 13 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (205) 942-5505

  • United Way of Central Alabama, Inc.

    3600 8th Ave S, Birmingham · 13 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
    (205) 458-8950

All counseling agencies in Alabama

Help in Spanish near Pelham

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Pelham

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Shelby County is named for Pelham or Shelby County.

4 other authorities have an office in Shelby County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Shelby County

These cities are also in Shelby County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Shelby County Housing in Alabama

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Pelham, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Shelby County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Pelham.

All guides
A father smiles as he carries his baby on his shoulders outdoors.

Questions

Housing questions about Pelham

Short answers with the numbers for Pelham and all of Shelby 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 Pelham?

The typical home value in Pelham is $299,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Shelby County it is $326,100.

How much does it cost to rent in Pelham?

Typical rent in Pelham is $1,577 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Shelby County is $1,375.

What is the FHA loan limit in Pelham?

Pelham uses the FHA limit for all of Shelby 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 Pelham?

The typical homeowner in Pelham pays $1,454 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.48% of the home’s value; in Shelby County, the rate is 0.44%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Pelham?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Shelby County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).