ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 35020

Part of Bessemer, AL

Pop. 24,892·Jefferson County·89th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,191/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.7%

Month-over-Month

-0.2%

vs US Median

-$741

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 35020 · $1,191

More affordable than 92% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$840

1 BR

$950

2 BR

$1,040

3 BR

$1,300

4 BR+

$1,480

Research median

$1,040/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Alabama

Rent in ZIP 35020 changed +1.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 5 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($35,362) is $884 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($840); a 1-bedroom is $950.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 35218, 8 miles away, rents for 10% less ($1,067/mo), about $1,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 35020. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$14,292/yr

At $1,191/mo median

Location

CityBessemer

StateAL

CountyJefferson County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 35020 (Bessemer, AL) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

24,892

Median income

$35,362

Median age

40.6

Renters

40.6%

Age distribution

24.6%

18.2%

22.4%

14.8%

20%

Under 1824.6%

18–3418.2%

35–5422.4%

55–6414.8%

65+20%

Gender

46.9%

53.1%

Male46.9%

Female53.1%

Race & ethnicity

70.8%

16.5%

White11.4%

Black70.8%

Hispanic16.5%

Other1.3%

Education (25+)

17.8%

41.7%

30.3%

No HS diploma17.8%

HS diploma41.7%

Some college30.3%

Bachelor's+10.2%

Housing tenure

59.4%

40.6%

Owner59.4%

Renter40.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 35020 in Bessemer, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$28,812 → $35,362

up 22.7%

Population

25,763 → 24,892

down 3.4%

Renter share

45.6% → 40.6%

-5.0 pts

Bachelor's+

11.2% → 10.2%

-1.0 pts

Median age

38.8 → 40.6

+1.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $28,812 to $35,362 across the same window, up 22.7% versus 2021. Census counts show ZIP 35020 in Bessemer, AL losing about 871 residents over the five-year window, down 3.4% on net. The renter share has eased from 45.6% to 40.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 35020

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 35020 covers Bessemer, AL. The median rent here is $1,191/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $950/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,040/mo.

At 40% of local median household income ($35,362/yr), ZIP 35020 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 35020?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (about $23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,191/mo in ZIP 35020. The local median household income is $35,362/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 35020?

Rent in ZIP 35020 has risen 1.7% over the past year.

How does ZIP 35020 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 35020 is one of the more affordable among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #89 of 116 at $1,191/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 35020 changed +1.7%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.