Cost to Own
United States › Alabama › Jefferson County › Leeds Population 12,221 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
Before you budget for Leeds FEMA rates natural hazard risk in Jefferson County Relatively High, with tornado its highest-ranked hazard against other US counties. It shapes what insurers charge here. See what threatens homes in this county

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Leeds, Alabama

A $220,000 home here costs

$1,868

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $80,000 a year.

P&I 64%Tax 4%Insurance 8%Utilities 14%Upkeep 10%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,199. The real number is $668 higher every month, 56% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Jefferson County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Leeds median: $220,400
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
AL average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $176,000 borrowed $1,199
Property tax0.438% effective rate for Leeds itself $80
Homeowners insuranceAlabama averages $1,610/yr (NAIC), or 0.819% of home value $150
Electricity16.33ยข/kWh, Alabama residential average, EIA $187
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $183
Total monthly $1,868

Leeds against Jefferson County and Alabama

MeasureLeedsJefferson County
Median home value$220,400$224,900
Median property tax$965$1,340
Effective tax rate0.438%0.596%
Median gross rent$945$1,132
Population12,221669,744

Leeds extends across 3 counties. Figures here use Jefferson County, where most of its housing sits.

The weather behind that power bill

Leeds sits in Jefferson County, which averages a high of 91.0°F in its hottest month and a low of 34.9°F in its coldest, with 56.62" of precipitation a year and 28% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 2,177 cooling and 2,534 heating degree days, which is what sets the $187 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Jefferson County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Jefferson County

Full Jefferson County cost breakdown · Every county in Alabama

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Leeds averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Leeds every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Leeds I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Leeds?

A $220,000 home in Leeds, Alabama costs approximately $1,868 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,199 principal and interest, $80 property tax, $150 homeowners insurance, $255 utilities and $183 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Leeds?

Leeds has an effective property tax rate of 0.438%, based on a median home value of $220,400 and median real estate taxes of $965. That is lower than the Jefferson County average of 0.596%.

What is the average home price in Leeds?

The median owner-occupied home value in Leeds, Alabama is $220,400, against $224,900 across Jefferson County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Leeds?

Median gross rent in Leeds is $945 a month, against $1,868 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Leeds?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Leeds, Alabama at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $80,000 a year. That covers the full $1,868 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Leeds, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Alabama.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology