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City Report · AL

Fairfield

Pop. 9,728·61st most expensive in Alabama·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,124/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+11.2%
vs US Median
-$841
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fairfield · $1,124
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,124/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$45,000/yr
Local median income
$48,456/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Fairfield's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$910
1 BR
$1,050
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,450
4 BR+
$1,640
Research median
$1,160/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: April 17, 2026

Annual cost
$13,488/yr
At $1,124/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +11.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fairfield, AL is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,728
Median income
$48,456
Median age
30.3
Renters
41%
Age distribution
25.9%
31.1%
12.8%
12.1%
18%
Under 1825.9%
18–3431.1%
35–5412.8%
55–6412.1%
65+18%
Gender
42%
58%
Male42%
Female58%
Race & ethnicity
90.7%
White6.7%
Black90.7%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
32.5%
35.3%
25.4%
No HS diploma6.8%
HS diploma32.5%
Some college35.3%
Bachelor's+25.4%
Housing tenure
59%
41%
Owner59%
Renter41%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fairfield, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$43,914 → $48,456
up 10.3%
Population
10,108 → 9,728
down 3.8%
Renter share
46.8% → 41%
-5.8 pts
Bachelor's+
22.3% → 25.4%
+3.1 pts
Median age
32.1 → 30.3
-1.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Fairfield, AL now reports about $48,456, up from $43,914 in 2021. The population has contracted by 3.8% since 2021, moving from about 10,108 residents to roughly 9,728. Renters now make up 41% of households, compared with 46.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 25.4% of adults here, versus 22.3% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Fairfield

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

Can you afford rent in Fairfield on your salary?

At $1,124/mo, how Fairfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fairfield rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fairfield

About renting in Fairfield, AL

Last updated: April 17, 2026

The median rent in Fairfield is $1,124/mo as of April 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,450/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($48,456/yr), Fairfield ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fairfield an affordable city for renters?

Fairfield is considered affordable for renters. At $1,124/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($48,456/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fairfield falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fairfield?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,124/mo in Fairfield. The local median household income is $48,456/yr, meaning the typical Fairfield household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fairfield?

Rent in Fairfield has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of April 2026.

How does Fairfield rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Fairfield is one of the more affordable cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #61 out of 66 tracked cities at $1,124/mo.

What percentage of Fairfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41% of Fairfield households are renters, while 59% are owner-occupied. Fairfield leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fairfield rent compare to the national average?

Fairfield's median rent of $1,124/mo is $841 (43%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #61 out of 66 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,124/mo, rent takes ~28% of Fairfield's median household income ($48,456/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fairfield 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Fairfield affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Fairfield
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fairfield, AL

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