1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Birmingham, AL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Birmingham, Alabama as of July 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $1,359 and +15% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Birmingham
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Birmingham
Compare Birmingham's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Alabama
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Alabama
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena | $1,660 |
| 2 | Owens Cross Roads | $1,610 |
| 3 | Calera | $1,470 |
| 4 | Hoover | $1,455 |
| 5 | Madison | $1,450 |
| 6 | Pelham | $1,400 |
| 7 | Meridianville | $1,400 |
| 8 | Vestavia Hills | $1,380 |
| 9 | Trussville | $1,380 |
| 10 | Homewood | $1,380 |
| 11 | Chelsea | $1,350 |
| 12 | Pike Road | $1,300 |
| 13 | Alabaster | $1,280 |
| 14 | Spanish Fort | $1,260 |
| 15 | Moody | $1,250 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Birmingham.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Birmingham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homewood, AL | 3.7 mi | $1,380 | +$194 (+16%) |
| Vestavia Hills, AL | 6.3 mi | $1,380 | +$194 (+16%) |
| Tarrant, AL | 6.9 mi | $1,000 | $-186 (-16%) |
| Fultondale, AL | 7.7 mi | $1,180 | $-6 (-1%) |
| Irondale, AL | 7.9 mi | $1,090 | $-96 (-8%) |
| Forestdale, AL | 9.2 mi | $1,000 | $-186 (-16%) |
| Hoover, AL | 10 mi | $1,455 | +$269 (+23%) |
| Midfield, AL | 10.5 mi | $1,040 | $-146 (-12%) |
| Center Point, AL | 10.8 mi | $1,060 | $-126 (-11%) |
| Pelham, AL | 13.2 mi | $1,400 | +$214 (+18%) |
| Leeds, AL | 15.6 mi | $1,030 | $-156 (-13%) |
| Chelsea, AL | 15.7 mi | $1,350 | +$164 (+14%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Birmingham — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Birmingham?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Birmingham, Alabama is $1,186 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $1,359.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Birmingham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $47,440 ($3,953/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Birmingham expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Birmingham's 1-bedroom median of $1,186 is +15% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 35th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Birmingham rank for 1-bedroom rent in Alabama?
Among the 65 cities in Alabama with 1-bedroom data, Birmingham ranks #48 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Birmingham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Tarrant ($1,000), Fultondale ($1,180), Irondale ($1,090).