At $1,304/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,304 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Forestdale changed +0.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 48 Alabama cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.3%.
Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 4 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($66,569) is $1,664 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,580).
Midfield, 8 miles away, rents for 18% less ($1,075/mo), about $2,700 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Forestdale. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Forestdale, AL has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Forestdale on your salary?
At $1,304/mo, how Forestdale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Forestdale rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Forestdale. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Forestdale
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Forestdale is $1,304/mo as of October 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 24% of local median household income ($66,569/yr), Forestdale ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Forestdale?
How does Forestdale rent compare to other cities in Alabama?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Forestdale?
At $1,304/mo, rent takes ~24% of Forestdale's median household income ($66,569/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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