Rents are 2% below what Irondale's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $2,122 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 Irondale is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2023.
Rent in Irondale changed +5.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 48 Alabama cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.3%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($72,343) is $1,809 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,710).
Birmingham, 7 miles away, rents for 39% less ($1,305/mo), about $9,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Irondale. 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
Irondale, AL is majority owner-occupied, 42.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Irondale, AL has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $72,343 today, compared with $63,010 five years earlier. The renter share has risen from 36.5% to 39.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 38.6% to 42.3% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in Irondale on your salary?
At $2,122/mo, how Irondale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Irondale rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Irondale. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Irondale
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Irondale is $2,122/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,210/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,090/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,510/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($72,343/yr), Irondale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Irondale?
Is rent going up or down in Irondale?
How does Irondale rent compare to other cities in Alabama?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Irondale?
At $2,122/mo, rent takes ~35% of Irondale's median household income ($72,343/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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