Best rent-to-income cities in Alabama

Cities in Alabama ranked by lowest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Madison ranks first, with rent at 12.6% of median household income.
Across all 39 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,411/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

39 cities

Rank	City	Rent/income	Median rent	Income	Vs. a year ago
01	MadisonAL Pop. 60KCompare →	12.6%	$1,411/mo	$134,655	same
02	HooverAL Pop. 93KCompare →	14.5%	$1,319/mo	$109,253	same
03	TrussvilleAL Pop. 27KCompare →	17.0%	$1,746/mo	$123,275	↑2 from #5
04	Vestavia HillsAL Pop. 39KCompare →	17.4%	$1,953/mo	$134,369	↓1 from #3
05	HomewoodAL Pop. 28KCompare →	17.6%	$1,384/mo	$94,485	↓1 from #4
06	OxfordAL Pop. 22KCompare →	19.4%	$1,200/mo	$74,268	same
07	HelenaAL Pop. 22KCompare →	19.9%	$1,905/mo	$115,139	--
08	DecaturAL Pop. 57KCompare →	20.3%	$1,042/mo	$61,563	↓1 from #7
09	HuntsvilleAL Pop. 223KCompare →	21.4%	$1,335/mo	$74,714	↓1 from #8
10	PelhamAL Pop. 25KCompare →	21.5%	$1,808/mo	$101,094	--
11	Muscle ShoalsAL Pop. 17KCompare →	21.5%	$1,359/mo	$75,894	--
12	NorthportAL Pop. 31KCompare →	22.1%	$1,489/mo	$80,913	↓2 from #10
13	DaphneAL Pop. 29KCompare →	22.2%	$1,612/mo	$87,250	↓4 from #9
14	ChelseaAL Pop. 16KCompare →	22.2%	$2,135/mo	$115,337	↓3 from #11
15	FairhopeAL Pop. 24KCompare →	22.5%	$1,771/mo	$94,274	↓3 from #12
16	CaleraAL Pop. 18KCompare →	22.6%	$1,642/mo	$87,194	↓3 from #13
17	AnnistonAL Pop. 21KCompare →	23.4%	$909/mo	$46,668	--
18	MillbrookAL Pop. 17KCompare →	24.0%	$1,408/mo	$70,313	↓4 from #14
19	EnterpriseAL Pop. 30KCompare →	24.1%	$1,466/mo	$73,125	↓3 from #16
20	HueytownAL Pop. 16KCompare →	24.2%	$1,265/mo	$62,784	↓5 from #15
21	AlabasterAL Pop. 34KCompare →	24.7%	$1,881/mo	$91,357	↓3 from #18
22	PrattvilleAL Pop. 39KCompare →	25.1%	$1,700/mo	$81,337	↓5 from #17
23	AthensAL Pop. 29KCompare →	25.3%	$1,475/mo	$69,922	↓4 from #19
24	DothanAL Pop. 72KCompare →	26.0%	$1,210/mo	$55,792	↓4 from #20
25	GadsdenAL Pop. 33KCompare →	26.2%	$882/mo	$40,345	--
26	OpelikaAL Pop. 33KCompare →	26.5%	$1,437/mo	$65,004	↓4 from #22
27	Center PointAL Pop. 16KCompare →	27.0%	$1,269/mo	$56,417	↓6 from #21
28	SaralandAL Pop. 16KCompare →	27.4%	$1,404/mo	$61,509	--
29	Gulf ShoresAL Pop. 16KCompare →	27.5%	$1,790/mo	$78,188	↓2 from #27
30	MontgomeryAL Pop. 197KCompare →	27.6%	$1,305/mo	$56,811	↓6 from #24
31	FlorenceAL Pop. 42KCompare →	27.6%	$1,202/mo	$52,174	↓8 from #23
32	MobileAL Pop. 203KCompare →	28.2%	$1,258/mo	$53,558	↓7 from #25
33	CullmanAL Pop. 19KCompare →	29.6%	$1,512/mo	$61,224	↓7 from #26
34	FoleyAL Pop. 24KCompare →	30.6%	$1,691/mo	$66,336	↓6 from #28
35	Phenix CityAL Pop. 38KCompare →	31.5%	$1,312/mo	$50,053	↓5 from #30
36	AuburnAL Pop. 81KCompare →	31.7%	$1,681/mo	$63,668	↓7 from #29
37	BirminghamAL Pop. 198KCompare →	34.0%	$1,305/mo	$46,051	↓6 from #31
38	TuscaloosaAL Pop. 111KCompare →	39.7%	$1,701/mo	$51,464	↓6 from #32
39	BessemerAL Pop. 25KCompare →	40.9%	$1,349/mo	$39,613	↓6 from #33