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City Report · AL

Vestavia Hills

Pop. 38,616·6th most expensive in Alabama·Vestavia Hills rents are up 29.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,049/mo
Year-over-Year
+29.2%
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
+$87
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Vestavia Hills · $2,049
More expensive than 61% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
18% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,049/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$82,000/yr
Local median income
$134,369/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Vestavia Hills's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,210
1 BR
$1,380
2 BR
$1,530
3 BR
$1,910
4 BR+
$2,160
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,530/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,049 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
$24,588/yr
At $2,049/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 29.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+29.2% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Vestavia Hills, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 65.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,616
Median income
$134,369
Median age
41.7
Renters
22%
Age distribution
24.8%
15.7%
27.7%
12.6%
19.1%
Under 1824.8%
18–3415.7%
35–5427.7%
55–6412.6%
65+19.1%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
84.8%
White84.8%
Black5.2%
Hispanic3.4%
Asian4.9%
Other1.7%
Education (25+)
13.1%
15.5%
65.3%
No HS diploma6.1%
HS diploma13.1%
Some college15.5%
Bachelor's+65.3%
Housing tenure
78%
22%
Owner78%
Renter22%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Vestavia Hills, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$118,539 → $134,369
up 13.4%
Population
38,504 → 38,616
up 0.3%
Renter share
24.2% → 22%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
68.4% → 65.3%
-3.1 pts
Median age
40 → 41.7
+1.7 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $134,369 today, compared with $118,539 five years earlier. About 22% of households rent today, against 24.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 68.4% to 65.3%.

Community

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View Vestavia Hills rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Vestavia Hills on your salary?

At $2,049/mo, how Vestavia Hills rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Vestavia Hills rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Vestavia Hills

About renting in Vestavia Hills, AL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Vestavia Hills is $2,049/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,210/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,530/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,380/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,910/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($134,369/yr), Vestavia Hills ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 29.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Vestavia Hills an affordable city for renters?

Vestavia Hills is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,049/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($134,369/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Vestavia Hills falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Vestavia Hills?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $82,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,049/mo in Vestavia Hills. The local median household income is $134,369/yr, meaning the typical Vestavia Hills household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Vestavia Hills?

Rent in Vestavia Hills has increased 29.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Vestavia Hills rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Vestavia Hills is one of the pricier cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #6 out of 70 tracked cities at $2,049/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Vestavia Hills?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Vestavia Hills ($2,049/mo): Lake Purdy ($1,262/mo), Hoover ($1,358/mo), Birmingham ($1,360/mo).

What percentage of Vestavia Hills residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22% of Vestavia Hills households are renters, while 78% are owner-occupied. Vestavia Hills leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Vestavia Hills rent compare to the national average?

Vestavia Hills's median rent of $2,049/mo is $87 (4%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #6 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,049/mo, rent takes ~18% of Vestavia Hills's median household income ($134,369/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Vestavia Hills 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Vestavia Hills affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Vestavia Hills
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Vestavia Hills, AL

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