Clay, AL vs Pelham, AL
Clay is moderately more affordable than Pelham, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Clay scores 90 compared to 103 for Pelham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pelham can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Clay is $1,373/month compared to $1,573/month in Pelham — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clay is more affordable at $198,400 median vs $278,900.
Median household income in Clay is $86,163 compared to $91,904 in Pelham (-6.2%). The higher salaries in Pelham partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Clay spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Pelham.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.9°F vs 64.4°F). Clay receives more rainfall at 56.6" per year compared to 56.2" in Pelham.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)