Rents are 7% below what Tuscaloosa's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,396 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: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Tuscaloosa, AL has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Tuscaloosa, AL has shifted from $1,074 to $1,396, up 30.0% 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.
Discussions about Tuscaloosa
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Tuscaloosa on your salary?
At $1,396/mo, how Tuscaloosa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Tuscaloosa rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Tuscaloosa. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Tuscaloosa
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Tuscaloosa is $1,396/mo as of August 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 3.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tuscaloosa an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Tuscaloosa?
Is rent going up or down in Tuscaloosa?
Which Tuscaloosa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Tuscaloosa rent compare to other cities in Alabama?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tuscaloosa?
What percentage of Tuscaloosa residents rent vs. own?
How does Tuscaloosa rent compare to the national average?
At $1,396/mo, rent takes ~33% of Tuscaloosa's median household income ($51,464/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Tuscaloosa.
No discussions yet.
