At $1,437/mo, rent takes about 27% 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 $1,437 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 Opelika changed +1.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 48 Alabama cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.3%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($65,004) is $1,625 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,540).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Opelika. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Opelika, AL has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Opelika on your salary?
At $1,437/mo, how Opelika rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Opelika rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Opelika. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Opelika
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Opelika is $1,437/mo as of October 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 27% of local median household income ($65,004/yr), Opelika ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Opelika?
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How does Opelika rent compare to other cities in Alabama?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Opelika?
At $1,437/mo, rent takes ~27% of Opelika's median household income ($65,004/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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