How much does it cost to rent in Bessemer, AL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Bessemer, AL is $1,400. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Bessemer cheaper than other Alabama cities?

Bessemer falls in the middle range for Alabama, ranking #44 out of 70 cities at $1,400/mo.

When was Bessemer rent data last updated?

Bessemer rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · AL

Bessemer

Name: Average Rent Prices in Bessemer, AL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 25,400·44th most expensive in Alabama·Bessemer rents are up 15.2% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,400/mo

Year-over-Year

+15.2%

Month-over-Month

-1.8%

vs US Median

-$565

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Bessemer · $1,400

More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

42/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Bessemer's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,400/mo

Expected by trend

$1,346/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bessemer's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$890

1 BR

$1,010

2 BR

$1,130

3 BR

$1,420

4 BR+

$1,590

Research median

$1,130/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$16,800/yr

At $1,400/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 15.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+15.2% YoY, -1.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Bessemer, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

25,400

Median income

$39,613

Median age

43.3

Renters

42.6%

Age distribution

20%

20.6%

22.5%

14.8%

22.1%

Under 1820%

18–3420.6%

35–5422.5%

55–6414.8%

65+22.1%

Gender

46.6%

53.4%

Male46.6%

Female53.4%

Race & ethnicity

21.6%

66.6%

White21.6%

Black66.6%

Hispanic10.4%

Other1.3%

Education (25+)

13.9%

38.5%

32%

15.6%

No HS diploma13.9%

HS diploma38.5%

Some college32%

Bachelor's+15.6%

Housing tenure

57.4%

42.6%

Owner57.4%

Renter42.6%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Bessemer, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,104 → $1,400

up 26.8%

Income

$32,416 → $39,613

up 22.2%

Population

26,171 → 25,400

down 2.9%

Renter share

46.8% → 42.6%

-4.2 pts

Bachelor's+

13.6% → 15.6%

+2.0 pts

Median age

42 → 43.3

+1.3 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Bessemer, AL has shifted from $1,104 to $1,400, up 26.8% since 2022. Median household income climbed from $32,416 to $39,613 between 2021 and 2024, a 22.2% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Bessemer, AL losing about 771 residents over the five-year window, down 2.9% on net. The renter share has eased from 46.8% to 42.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 13.6% to 15.6% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Bessemer, AL reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Bessemer

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View Bessemer rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bessemer on your salary?

At $1,400/mo, how Bessemer rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $81,253/yr · Rent = 20.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $57,689/yr · Rent = 29.1% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $66,452/yr · Rent = 25.3% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $118,775/yr · Rent = 14.1% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $151,764/yr · Rent = 11.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,017/yr · Rent = 31.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $48,771/yr · Rent = 34.4% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $60,114/yr · Rent = 27.9% income

affordable

By apartment size

Bessemer rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bessemer

About renting in Bessemer, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bessemer is $1,400/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,420/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($39,613/yr), Bessemer ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 15.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bessemer an affordable city for renters?

Bessemer is considered stretched for renters. At $1,400/mo, rent takes approximately 42% of the local median household income ($39,613/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bessemer significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Bessemer?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,400/mo in Bessemer. The local median household income is $39,613/yr, meaning the typical Bessemer household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bessemer?

Rent in Bessemer has increased 15.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Bessemer neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bessemer are 35020 ($1,156/mo), and 35022 ($1,976/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bessemer is $1,400/mo.

How does Bessemer rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Bessemer is middle-of-the-pack for Alabama for rent, ranking #44 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,400/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bessemer?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bessemer ($1,400/mo): Fairfield ($1,124/mo), Midfield ($1,145/mo), Hoover ($1,378/mo).

What percentage of Bessemer residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.6% of Bessemer households are renters, while 57.4% are owner-occupied. Bessemer leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bessemer rent compare to the national average?

Bessemer's median rent of $1,400/mo is $565 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #44 out of 70 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

42%

STRETCHED

At $1,400/mo, rent takes ~42% of Bessemer's median household income ($39,613/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bessemer 42%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5%

Run the Bessemer affordability calculator →

Nearby cities