ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 35209

Part of Homewood, AL

Pop. 32,734·Jefferson County·57th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,385/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.4%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

-$547

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 35209 · $1,385

More affordable than 81% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,280

1 BR

$1,440

2 BR

$1,580

3 BR

$1,980

4 BR+

$2,250

Research median

$1,580/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 35209 changed +5.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 9 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($71,439) is $1,786 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,580); a 3-bedroom is $1,980.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 35205, 2 miles away, rents for 23% less ($1,067/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 35209. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,620/yr

At $1,385/mo median

Location

CityHomewood

StateAL

CountyJefferson County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.4% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 35209 (Homewood, AL) is roughly split between renters and owners, 56.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,734

Median income

$71,439

Median age

34.1

Renters

51.5%

Age distribution

22.1%

29.2%

26.1%

14.1%

Under 1822.1%

18–3429.2%

35–5426.1%

55–648.5%

65+14.1%

Gender

45.7%

54.3%

Male45.7%

Female54.3%

Race & ethnicity

66.6%

24.8%

White66.6%

Black24.8%

Hispanic5.8%

Asian2%

Other0.8%

Education (25+)

18%

17.8%

56.9%

No HS diploma7.3%

HS diploma18%

Some college17.8%

Bachelor's+56.9%

Housing tenure

48.5%

51.5%

Owner48.5%

Renter51.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 35209 in Homewood, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$67,814 → $71,439

up 5.3%

Population

29,287 → 32,734

up 11.8%

Renter share

47.9% → 51.5%

+3.6 pts

Bachelor's+

61.7% → 56.9%

-4.8 pts

Median age

31.3 → 34.1

+2.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 35209 in Homewood, AL now reports about $71,439, up from $67,814 in 2021. The population has grown by 11.8% since 2021, moving from about 29,287 residents to roughly 32,734. Renters now make up 51.5% of households, compared with 47.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 56.9% of adults here, versus 61.7% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 35209

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 35209 covers Homewood, AL. The median rent here is $1,385/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,440/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,580/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($71,439/yr), ZIP 35209 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 35209?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (about $26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,385/mo in ZIP 35209. The local median household income is $71,439/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 35209?

Rent in ZIP 35209 has risen 5.4% over the past year.

How does ZIP 35209 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 35209 is in the middle among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #57 of 116 at $1,385/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 35209 changed +5.4%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.