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City Report · AL

Calera

Pop. 17,714·20th most expensive in Alabama·Calera rents are up 10.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,738/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.9%
Month-over-Month
-0.4%
vs US Median
-$224
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Calera · $1,738
More affordable than 58% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
42/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$1,738/mo
Expected by trend
$1,675/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Calera's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,290
1 BR
$1,470
2 BR
$1,640
3 BR
$2,050
4 BR+
$2,310
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,640/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,738 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,856/yr
At $1,738/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.9% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Calera, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 37.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,714
Median income
$87,194
Median age
33.9
Renters
20.7%
Age distribution
25.3%
26.2%
31.1%
Under 1825.3%
18–3426.2%
35–5431.1%
55–649%
65+8.3%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
60.4%
30.7%
White60.4%
Black30.7%
Hispanic9.2%
Asian0.9%
Education (25+)
24%
32.2%
37.1%
No HS diploma6.6%
HS diploma24%
Some college32.2%
Bachelor's+37.1%
Housing tenure
79.3%
20.7%
Owner79.3%
Renter20.7%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Calera, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,436 → $1,738
up 21.0%
Income
$70,504 → $87,194
up 23.7%
Population
16,126 → 17,714
up 9.8%
Renter share
19.7% → 20.7%
+1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
36.1% → 37.1%
+1.0 pts
Median age
32.4 → 33.9
+1.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Calera, AL has shifted from $1,436 to $1,738, up 21.0% since 2022. Household income in the area moved from $70,504 to $87,194 across the same window, up 23.7% versus 2021. Census counts show Calera, AL adding about 1,588 residents over the five-year window, up 9.8% on net. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Calera, AL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Calera on your salary?

At $1,738/mo, how Calera rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Calera rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Calera

About renting in Calera, AL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Calera is $1,738/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,290/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,640/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,470/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,050/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($87,194/yr), Calera ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Calera an affordable city for renters?

Calera is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,738/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($87,194/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Calera falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Calera?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,738/mo in Calera. The local median household income is $87,194/yr, meaning the typical Calera household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Calera?

Rent in Calera has increased 10.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Calera rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Calera is one of the pricier cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #20 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,738/mo.

What percentage of Calera residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 20.7% of Calera households are renters, while 79.3% are owner-occupied. Calera leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Calera rent compare to the national average?

Calera's median rent of $1,738/mo is $224 (11%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #20 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,738/mo, rent takes ~24% of Calera's median household income ($87,194/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Calera 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Calera affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Calera
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Calera, AL

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