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City Report · AL

Opelika

Pop. 32,820·30th most expensive in Alabama·Opelika rents are up 9.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,600/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.7%
Month-over-Month
-3.7%
vs US Median
-$365
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Opelika · $1,600
More affordable than 69% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,600/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$64,000/yr
Local median income
$65,004/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Opelika's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$765
1 BR
$875
2 BR
$1,035
3 BR
$1,375
4 BR+
$1,540
Research median
$1,035/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$19,200/yr
At $1,600/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (9.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.7% YoY, -3.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Opelika, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 36.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
32,820
Median income
$65,004
Median age
39.9
Renters
30.9%
Age distribution
23.9%
19.6%
25%
13%
18.4%
Under 1823.9%
18–3419.6%
35–5425%
55–6413%
65+18.4%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
52.9%
39%
White52.9%
Black39%
Hispanic7.2%
Asian1.8%
Education (25+)
23.5%
29.4%
36.4%
No HS diploma10.8%
HS diploma23.5%
Some college29.4%
Bachelor's+36.4%
Housing tenure
69.1%
30.9%
Owner69.1%
Renter30.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Opelika, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,074 → $65,004
up 27.3%
Population
30,810 → 32,820
up 6.5%
Renter share
28.4% → 30.9%
+2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
31.5% → 36.4%
+4.9 pts
Median age
40.7 → 39.9
-0.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $51,074 to $65,004 across the same window, up 27.3% versus 2021. The population has grown by 6.5% since 2021, moving from about 30,810 residents to roughly 32,820. Renters now make up 30.9% of households, compared with 28.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 36.4% of adults here, versus 31.5% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Opelika on your salary?

At $1,600/mo, how Opelika rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Opelika rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Opelika

About renting in Opelika, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Opelika is $1,600/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $765/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,035/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $875/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,375/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($65,004/yr), Opelika ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Opelika an affordable city for renters?

Opelika is considered moderate for renters. At $1,600/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($65,004/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Opelika slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Opelika?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,600/mo in Opelika. The local median household income is $65,004/yr, meaning the typical Opelika household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Opelika?

Rent in Opelika has increased 9.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Opelika neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Opelika are 36804 ($1,425/mo), and 36801 ($1,591/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Opelika is $1,600/mo.

How does Opelika rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Opelika is middle-of-the-pack for Alabama for rent, ranking #30 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,600/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Opelika?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Opelika ($1,600/mo): Columbus ($1,275/mo), Lagrange ($1,356/mo), Phenix City ($1,372/mo).

What percentage of Opelika residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.9% of Opelika households are renters, while 69.1% are owner-occupied. Opelika leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Opelika rent compare to the national average?

Opelika's median rent of $1,600/mo is $365 (19%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #30 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,600/mo, rent takes ~30% of Opelika's median household income ($65,004/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Opelika, AL

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