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City Report · AL

Phenix City

Pop. 38,499·44th most expensive in Alabama·Phenix City rents are up 7.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,392/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.2%
Month-over-Month
+1.5%
vs US Median
-$570
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Phenix City · $1,392
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
47/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Phenix City's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,392/mo
Expected by trend
$1,369/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Phenix City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$823
1 BR
$913
2 BR
$1,070
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,637
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,392 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
$16,704/yr
At $1,392/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.2% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Phenix City, AL is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 23.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,499
Median income
$50,053
Median age
35.6
Renters
47.6%
Age distribution
25.5%
23.4%
26.3%
12.9%
Under 1825.5%
18–3423.4%
35–5426.3%
55–6411.9%
65+12.9%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
41.8%
48.4%
White41.8%
Black48.4%
Hispanic5.7%
Asian1.2%
Other2.8%
Education (25+)
29.3%
37.3%
23.2%
No HS diploma10.2%
HS diploma29.3%
Some college37.3%
Bachelor's+23.2%
Housing tenure
52.4%
47.6%
Owner52.4%
Renter47.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Phenix City, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,172 → $1,392
up 18.8%
Income
$43,296 → $50,053
up 15.6%
Population
38,216 → 38,499
up 0.7%
Renter share
47.8% → 47.6%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
22.5% → 23.2%
+0.7 pts

Compared with 2023, rent in Phenix City, AL has climbed by $220 per month, settling near $1,392 after starting the period at $1,172. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $43,296 in 2021 to $50,053 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 3.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Phenix City, AL market of 2023.

Community

Discussions about Phenix City

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View Phenix City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Phenix City on your salary?

At $1,392/mo, how Phenix City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Phenix City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Phenix City

About renting in Phenix City, AL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Phenix City is $1,392/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $823/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $913/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($50,053/yr), Phenix City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Phenix City an affordable city for renters?

Phenix City is considered moderate for renters. At $1,392/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($50,053/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Phenix City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Phenix City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,392/mo in Phenix City. The local median household income is $50,053/yr, meaning the typical Phenix City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Phenix City?

Rent in Phenix City has increased 7.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Phenix City neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Phenix City are 36869 ($1,342/mo), 36867 ($1,361/mo), and 36870 ($1,650/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Phenix City is $1,392/mo.

How does Phenix City rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Phenix City is middle-of-the-pack for Alabama for rent, ranking #44 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,392/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Phenix City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Phenix City ($1,392/mo): Columbus ($1,314/mo), Lagrange ($1,380/mo).

What percentage of Phenix City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.6% of Phenix City households are renters, while 52.4% are owner-occupied. Phenix City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Phenix City rent compare to the national average?

Phenix City's median rent of $1,392/mo is $570 (29%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #44 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,392/mo, rent takes ~33% of Phenix City's median household income ($50,053/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Phenix City 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Phenix City affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Phenix City
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Phenix City, AL

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