ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 35043

Part of Chelsea, AL

Pop. 15,837·Shelby County·2nd most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$2,206/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.6%

Month-over-Month

-0.4%

vs US Median

+$274

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 35043 · $2,206

More expensive than 71% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,190

1 BR

$1,340

2 BR

$1,470

3 BR

$1,840

4 BR+

$2,090

Research median

$1,470/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 35043 changed +5.6% 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 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($121,356) is $3,034 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,090).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 35124, 5 miles away, rents for 18% less ($1,808/mo), about $4,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 35043. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$26,472/yr

At $2,206/mo median

Location

CityChelsea

StateAL

CountyShelby County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (5.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.6% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 35043 (Chelsea, AL) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 46.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

15,837

Median income

$121,356

Median age

40.4

Renters

9.5%

Age distribution

24.9%

18%

28%

17.6%

Under 1824.9%

18–3418%

35–5428%

55–6411.5%

65+17.6%

Gender

50.5%

49.5%

Male50.5%

Female49.5%

Race & ethnicity

83.6%

White83.6%

Black9.6%

Hispanic4.4%

Asian0.7%

Other1.7%

Education (25+)

20.4%

30.7%

46.6%

No HS diploma2.3%

HS diploma20.4%

Some college30.7%

Bachelor's+46.6%

Housing tenure

90.5%

Owner90.5%

Renter9.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 35043 in Chelsea, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$94,959 → $121,356

up 27.8%

Population

14,054 → 15,837

up 12.7%

Renter share

10.1% → 9.5%

-0.6 pts

Bachelor's+

38.5% → 46.6%

+8.1 pts

Median age

39 → 40.4

+1.4 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $94,959 to $121,356 across the same window, up 27.8% versus 2021. The population has grown by 12.7% since 2021, moving from about 14,054 residents to roughly 15,837. College-educated residents now make up 46.6% of adults here, versus 38.5% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 35043

About renting in ZIP 35043

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 35043 covers Chelsea, AL. The median rent here is $2,206/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,340/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,470/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($121,356/yr), ZIP 35043 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 35043?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $88,000/year (about $42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,206/mo in ZIP 35043. The local median household income is $121,356/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 35043?

Rent in ZIP 35043 has risen 5.6% over the past year.

How does ZIP 35043 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 35043 is one of the pricier among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #2 of 116 at $2,206/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 35043 changed +5.6%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.