RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · AL

Forestdale

Pop. 9,742·55th most expensive in Alabama·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,265/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.6%
Month-over-Month
-2.8%
vs US Median
-$700
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Forestdale rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Forestdale · $1,265
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,265/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$66,569/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Forestdale's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$1,000
2 BR
$1,130
3 BR
$1,420
4 BR+
$1,580
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
$15,180/yr
At $1,265/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 2.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.6% YoY, -2.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Forestdale, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,742
Median income
$66,569
Median age
41.7
Renters
31%
Age distribution
20.6%
19.5%
24.5%
26.7%
Under 1820.6%
18–3419.5%
35–5424.5%
55–648.8%
65+26.7%
Gender
44.5%
55.5%
Male44.5%
Female55.5%
Race & ethnicity
22.4%
72.8%
White22.4%
Black72.8%
Hispanic3.9%
Asian0.5%
Other0.5%
Education (25+)
28.9%
37.2%
27.5%
No HS diploma6.5%
HS diploma28.9%
Some college37.2%
Bachelor's+27.5%
Housing tenure
69%
31%
Owner69%
Renter31%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Forestdale, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$58,706 → $66,569
up 13.4%
Population
9,251 → 9,742
up 5.3%
Renter share
21.7% → 31%
+9.3 pts
Bachelor's+
23.3% → 27.5%
+4.2 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Forestdale, AL now reports about $66,569, up from $58,706 in 2021. Census counts show Forestdale, AL adding about 491 residents over the five-year window, up 5.3% on net. The renter share has risen from 21.7% to 31%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 23.3% to 27.5% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Forestdale

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Forestdale on your salary?

At $1,265/mo, how Forestdale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Forestdale rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Forestdale

About renting in Forestdale, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Forestdale is $1,265/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,000/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,420/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($66,569/yr), Forestdale ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Forestdale an affordable city for renters?

Forestdale is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,265/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($66,569/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Forestdale falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Forestdale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,265/mo in Forestdale. The local median household income is $66,569/yr, meaning the typical Forestdale household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Forestdale?

Rent in Forestdale has decreased 2.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Forestdale rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Forestdale is one of the more affordable cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #55 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,265/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Forestdale?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Forestdale ($1,265/mo): Fairfield ($1,124/mo), Midfield ($1,145/mo), Adamsville ($1,255/mo).

What percentage of Forestdale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31% of Forestdale households are renters, while 69% are owner-occupied. Forestdale leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Forestdale rent compare to the national average?

Forestdale's median rent of $1,265/mo is $700 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #55 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,265/mo, rent takes ~23% of Forestdale's median household income ($66,569/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Forestdale 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Forestdale affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Forestdale
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Forestdale, AL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Forestdale.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.