How much does it cost to rent in Tuscaloosa, AL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Tuscaloosa, AL is $1,433. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Tuscaloosa cheaper than other Alabama cities?

Tuscaloosa falls in the middle range for Alabama, ranking #42 out of 70 cities at $1,433/mo.

When was Tuscaloosa rent data last updated?

Tuscaloosa rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Tuscaloosa a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Tuscaloosa is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · AL

Tuscaloosa

Name: Average Rent Prices in Tuscaloosa, AL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 111,038·42nd most expensive in Alabama·Rental market data updated monthly for Tuscaloosa, AL

Median rent (all units)

$1,433/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.1%

Month-over-Month

-1.5%

vs US Median

-$532

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Tuscaloosa rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Tuscaloosa · $1,433

More affordable than 80% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

57/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Tuscaloosa's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,433/mo

Expected by trend

$1,487/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Tuscaloosa's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$978

1 BR

$983

2 BR

$1,213

3 BR

$1,545

4 BR+

$1,608

Research median

$1,213/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$17,196/yr

At $1,433/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.1% YoY, -1.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Tuscaloosa, AL is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 39.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

111,038

Median income

$51,464

Median age

27.2

Renters

57.1%

Age distribution

17.4%

43%

18.4%

13%

Under 1817.4%

18–3443%

35–5418.4%

55–648.3%

65+13%

Gender

47.6%

52.4%

Male47.6%

Female52.4%

Race & ethnicity

50.4%

40.5%

White50.4%

Black40.5%

Hispanic5.7%

Asian2.7%

Other0.7%

Education (25+)

23.7%

28.6%

39.4%

No HS diploma8.4%

HS diploma23.7%

Some college28.6%

Bachelor's+39.4%

Housing tenure

42.9%

57.1%

Owner42.9%

Renter57.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Tuscaloosa, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,074 → $1,433

up 33.4%

Income

$44,880 → $51,464

up 14.7%

Population

99,252 → 111,038

up 11.9%

Renter share

53.5% → 57.1%

+3.6 pts

Bachelor's+

37.6% → 39.4%

+1.8 pts

Median age

29.5 → 27.2

-2.3 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Tuscaloosa, AL has shifted from $1,074 to $1,433, up 33.4% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Tuscaloosa, AL now reports about $51,464, up from $44,880 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Tuscaloosa, AL adding about 11,786 residents over the five-year window, up 11.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 53.5% to 57.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Tuscaloosa, AL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Tuscaloosa

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View Tuscaloosa rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Tuscaloosa on your salary?

At $1,433/mo, how Tuscaloosa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $81,253/yr · Rent = 21.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $57,689/yr · Rent = 29.8% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $66,452/yr · Rent = 25.9% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $118,775/yr · Rent = 14.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $151,764/yr · Rent = 11.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,017/yr · Rent = 31.8% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $48,771/yr · Rent = 35.3% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $60,114/yr · Rent = 28.6% income

affordable

By apartment size

Tuscaloosa rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Tuscaloosa

About renting in Tuscaloosa, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Tuscaloosa is $1,433/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $978/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,213/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $983/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,545/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($51,464/yr), Tuscaloosa ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Tuscaloosa an affordable city for renters?

Tuscaloosa is considered moderate for renters. At $1,433/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($51,464/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Tuscaloosa slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Tuscaloosa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,433/mo in Tuscaloosa. The local median household income is $51,464/yr, meaning the typical Tuscaloosa household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Tuscaloosa?

Rent in Tuscaloosa has decreased 1.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Tuscaloosa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Tuscaloosa are 35405 ($1,269/mo), 35401 ($1,440/mo), and 35404 ($1,464/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Tuscaloosa is $1,433/mo.

How does Tuscaloosa rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Tuscaloosa is middle-of-the-pack for Alabama for rent, ranking #42 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,433/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tuscaloosa?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Tuscaloosa ($1,433/mo): Hueytown ($1,205/mo), Bessemer ($1,400/mo).

What percentage of Tuscaloosa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57.1% of Tuscaloosa households are renters, while 42.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Tuscaloosa has a strong rental market.

How does Tuscaloosa rent compare to the national average?

Tuscaloosa's median rent of $1,433/mo is $532 (27%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #42 out of 70 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,433/mo, rent takes ~33% of Tuscaloosa's median household income ($51,464/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Tuscaloosa 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5%

Run the Tuscaloosa affordability calculator →

Nearby cities