At $882/mo, rent takes about 26% 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 $882 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
30% of the median household income ($40,345) is $1,009 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($910); a 3-bedroom is $1,100.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Gadsden. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Gadsden, AL has changed in 5 years
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.
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At $882/mo, how Gadsden rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Gadsden rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Gadsden. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Gadsden
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Gadsden is $882/mo as of October 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 26% 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.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Gadsden?
How does Gadsden rent compare to other cities in Alabama?
At $882/mo, rent takes ~26% of Gadsden's median household income ($40,345/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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