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City Report · AL

Gadsden

Pop. 33,374·69th most expensive in Alabama·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$828/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.4%
vs US Median
-$1,134
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Gadsden · $828
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $828/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$33,000/yr
Local median income
$40,345/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Gadsden's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$620
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$910
3 BR
$1,100
4 BR+
$1,210
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$910/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $828 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
$9,936/yr
At $828/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Gadsden, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
33,374
Median income
$40,345
Median age
38.6
Renters
44.3%
Age distribution
23.8%
21.3%
24.4%
12.4%
18%
Under 1823.8%
18–3421.3%
35–5424.4%
55–6412.4%
65+18%
Gender
47.3%
52.7%
Male47.3%
Female52.7%
Race & ethnicity
50.7%
36.2%
White50.7%
Black36.2%
Hispanic10.5%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
17.8%
33.9%
32.8%
15.5%
No HS diploma17.8%
HS diploma33.9%
Some college32.8%
Bachelor's+15.5%
Housing tenure
55.7%
44.3%
Owner55.7%
Renter44.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gadsden, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$35,776 → $40,345
up 12.8%
Population
34,317 → 33,374
down 2.7%
Renter share
42.3% → 44.3%
+2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
15.9% → 15.5%
-0.4 pts
Median age
40.5 → 38.6
-1.9 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Gadsden, AL now reports about $40,345, up from $35,776 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 34,317 to 33,374 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.7% change. About 44.3% of households rent today, against 42.3% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Gadsden

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

Can you afford rent in Gadsden on your salary?

At $828/mo, how Gadsden rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Gadsden rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gadsden

About renting in Gadsden, AL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Gadsden is $828/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $620/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $910/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $780/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,100/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($40,345/yr), Gadsden ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gadsden an affordable city for renters?

Gadsden is considered affordable for renters. At $828/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($40,345/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gadsden falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Gadsden?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $33,000/year (~$16/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $828/mo in Gadsden. The local median household income is $40,345/yr, meaning the typical Gadsden household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gadsden?

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

How does Gadsden rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Gadsden is one of the more affordable cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #69 out of 70 tracked cities at $828/mo.

What percentage of Gadsden residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.3% of Gadsden households are renters, while 55.7% are owner-occupied. Gadsden leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Gadsden rent compare to the national average?

Gadsden's median rent of $828/mo is $1,134 (58%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #69 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $828/mo, rent takes ~25% of Gadsden's median household income ($40,345/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gadsden 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Gadsden affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Gadsden, AL

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