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City Report · AL

Athens

Pop. 29,002·39th most expensive in Alabama·Athens rents are up 8.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,468/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.0%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$497
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Athens · $1,468
More affordable than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
50/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Athens's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,468/mo
Expected by trend
$1,470/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Athens's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$1,045
2 BR
$1,215
3 BR
$1,570
4 BR+
$1,900
Research median
$1,215/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,616/yr
At $1,468/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Athens, AL is majority owner-occupied, 31.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,002
Median income
$69,922
Median age
40.9
Renters
36%
Age distribution
20.2%
22.8%
25.8%
13.7%
17.5%
Under 1820.2%
18–3422.8%
35–5425.8%
55–6413.7%
65+17.5%
Gender
47.2%
52.8%
Male47.2%
Female52.8%
Race & ethnicity
70.4%
17%
White70.4%
Black17%
Hispanic8.6%
Asian1.1%
Other2.9%
Education (25+)
23%
34.1%
31.4%
No HS diploma11.4%
HS diploma23%
Some college34.1%
Bachelor's+31.4%
Housing tenure
64%
36%
Owner64%
Renter36%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Athens, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,338 → $1,468
up 9.7%
Income
$52,211 → $69,922
up 33.9%
Population
25,213 → 29,002
up 15.0%
Renter share
35.9% → 36%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
29.2% → 31.4%
+2.2 pts
Median age
41.9 → 40.9
-1.0 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in Athens, AL has increased by $130 per month, settling near $1,468 after starting the period at $1,338. On the earnings side, the typical household in Athens, AL now reports about $69,922, up from $52,211 in 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 24.2 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 25,213 to 29,002 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 29.2% to 31.4%. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Athens, AL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Athens

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View Athens rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Athens on your salary?

At $1,468/mo, how Athens rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Athens rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Athens. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Athens

About renting in Athens, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Athens is $1,468/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,215/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,045/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,570/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($69,922/yr), Athens ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Athens an affordable city for renters?

Athens is considered affordable for renters. At $1,468/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($69,922/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Athens falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Athens?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,468/mo in Athens. The local median household income is $69,922/yr, meaning the typical Athens household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Athens?

Rent in Athens has increased 8.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Athens neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Athens are 35611 ($1,262/mo), and 35613 ($1,966/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Athens is $1,468/mo.

How does Athens rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Athens is middle-of-the-pack for Alabama for rent, ranking #39 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,468/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Athens?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Athens ($1,468/mo): Decatur ($1,082/mo), Huntsville ($1,322/mo), Madison ($1,442/mo).

What percentage of Athens residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36% of Athens households are renters, while 64% are owner-occupied. Athens leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Athens rent compare to the national average?

Athens's median rent of $1,468/mo is $497 (25%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #39 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,468/mo, rent takes ~25% of Athens's median household income ($69,922/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Athens 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Athens affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Athens
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Athens, AL

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