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City Report · AL

Irondale

Pop. 13,464·2nd most expensive in Alabama·Rental market data updated monthly for Irondale, AL
Median rent (all units)
$2,280/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.3%
Month-over-Month
+3.8%
vs US Median
+$318
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Irondale · $2,280
More expensive than 72% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
38% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,280/mo, rent takes about 38% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$91,000/yr
Local median income
$72,343/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Irondale's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$950
1 BR
$1,090
2 BR
$1,210
3 BR
$1,510
4 BR+
$1,710
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,210/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,280 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
$27,360/yr
At $2,280/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.3% YoY, +3.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Irondale, AL is majority owner-occupied, 42.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,464
Median income
$72,343
Median age
38.3
Renters
39.9%
Age distribution
17.5%
27.4%
25.1%
12.5%
17.6%
Under 1817.5%
18–3427.4%
35–5425.1%
55–6412.5%
65+17.6%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
60%
28.6%
White60%
Black28.6%
Hispanic9%
Asian0.7%
Other1.7%
Education (25+)
22.7%
27.9%
42.3%
No HS diploma7.1%
HS diploma22.7%
Some college27.9%
Bachelor's+42.3%
Housing tenure
60.1%
39.9%
Owner60.1%
Renter39.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Irondale, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$63,010 → $72,343
up 14.8%
Population
13,457 → 13,464
up 0.1%
Renter share
36.5% → 39.9%
+3.4 pts
Bachelor's+
38.6% → 42.3%
+3.7 pts
Median age
41.3 → 38.3
-3.0 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Irondale

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

Can you afford rent in Irondale on your salary?

At $2,280/mo, how Irondale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Irondale rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Irondale

About renting in Irondale, AL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Irondale is $2,280/mo as of August 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 38% of local median household income ($72,343/yr), Irondale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Irondale an affordable city for renters?

Irondale is considered moderate for renters. At $2,280/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($72,343/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Irondale slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Irondale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $91,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,280/mo in Irondale. The local median household income is $72,343/yr, meaning the typical Irondale household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Irondale?

Rent in Irondale has increased 3.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Irondale rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Irondale is one of the pricier cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #2 out of 70 tracked cities at $2,280/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Irondale?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Irondale ($2,280/mo): Tarrant ($1,027/mo), Lake Purdy ($1,262/mo), Grayson Valley ($1,332/mo).

What percentage of Irondale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.9% of Irondale households are renters, while 60.1% are owner-occupied. Irondale leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Irondale rent compare to the national average?

Irondale's median rent of $2,280/mo is $318 (16%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #2 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $2,280/mo, rent takes ~38% of Irondale's median household income ($72,343/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Irondale 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Irondale affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Irondale
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Irondale, AL

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