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City Report · AL

Muscle Shoals

Pop. 16,951·45th most expensive in Alabama·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,379/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.7%
vs US Median
-$583
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Muscle Shoals · $1,379
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,379/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$55,000/yr
Local median income
$75,894/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Muscle Shoals's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,140
3 BR
$1,400
4 BR+
$1,660
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,140/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,379 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
$16,548/yr
At $1,379/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Muscle Shoals, AL is majority owner-occupied, 24% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,951
Median income
$75,894
Median age
38
Renters
32.9%
Age distribution
22.5%
21.7%
26.9%
17.9%
Under 1822.5%
18–3421.7%
35–5426.9%
55–6410.9%
65+17.9%
Gender
44.7%
55.3%
Male44.7%
Female55.3%
Race & ethnicity
78%
15.3%
White78%
Black15.3%
Hispanic3.1%
Asian1.4%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
27.5%
38.8%
24%
No HS diploma9.8%
HS diploma27.5%
Some college38.8%
Bachelor's+24%
Housing tenure
67.1%
32.9%
Owner67.1%
Renter32.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Muscle Shoals, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$61,772 → $75,894
up 22.9%
Population
15,969 → 16,951
up 6.1%
Renter share
23.3% → 32.9%
+9.6 pts
Bachelor's+
19% → 24%
+5.0 pts

Census figures show median household income at $75,894 today, compared with $61,772 five years earlier. The population has grown by 6.1% since 2021, moving from about 15,969 residents to roughly 16,951. Renters now make up 32.9% of households, compared with 23.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 24% of adults here, versus 19% in 2021.

Community

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View Muscle Shoals rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Muscle Shoals on your salary?

At $1,379/mo, how Muscle Shoals rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Muscle Shoals rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Muscle Shoals

About renting in Muscle Shoals, AL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Muscle Shoals is $1,379/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,140/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,400/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($75,894/yr), Muscle Shoals ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Muscle Shoals an affordable city for renters?

Muscle Shoals is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,379/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($75,894/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Muscle Shoals falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Muscle Shoals?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,379/mo in Muscle Shoals. The local median household income is $75,894/yr, meaning the typical Muscle Shoals household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Muscle Shoals?

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

How does Muscle Shoals rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Muscle Shoals is middle-of-the-pack for Alabama for rent, ranking #45 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,379/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Muscle Shoals?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Muscle Shoals ($1,379/mo): Decatur ($1,093/mo), Lawrenceburg ($1,170/mo), Florence ($1,219/mo).

What percentage of Muscle Shoals residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.9% of Muscle Shoals households are renters, while 67.1% are owner-occupied. Muscle Shoals leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Muscle Shoals rent compare to the national average?

Muscle Shoals's median rent of $1,379/mo is $583 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #45 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,379/mo, rent takes ~22% of Muscle Shoals's median household income ($75,894/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Muscle Shoals 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Muscle Shoals affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Muscle Shoals
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Muscle Shoals, AL

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