ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 35218

Part of Birmingham, AL

Pop. 6,981·Jefferson County·100th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,067/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+1.8%

vs US Median

-$865

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 35218 · $1,067

More affordable than 96% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$830

1 BR

$940

2 BR

$1,030

3 BR

$1,290

4 BR+

$1,470

Research median

$1,030/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

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($30,739) is $768 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($830).

Rank in Birmingham

2nd cheapest of 11 ZIP codes in Birmingham.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 35218. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$12,804/yr

At $1,067/mo median

Location

CityBirmingham

StateAL

CountyJefferson County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 35218 (Birmingham, AL) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

6,981

Median income

$30,739

Median age

39.6

Renters

63.9%

Age distribution

24.3%

21%

28.4%

12.3%

14%

Under 1824.3%

18–3421%

35–5428.4%

55–6412.3%

65+14%

Gender

46.1%

53.9%

Male46.1%

Female53.9%

Race & ethnicity

71.6%

18.5%

White5.1%

Black71.6%

Hispanic4.8%

Other18.5%

Education (25+)

18.1%

32.7%

41.6%

No HS diploma18.1%

HS diploma32.7%

Some college41.6%

Bachelor's+7.7%

Housing tenure

36.1%

63.9%

Owner36.1%

Renter63.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 35218 in Birmingham, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$30,725 → $30,739

up 0.0%

Population

7,622 → 6,981

down 8.4%

Renter share

59.2% → 63.9%

+4.7 pts

Bachelor's+

9.6% → 7.7%

-1.9 pts

Census figures show median household income at $30,739 today, compared with $30,725 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 7,622 to 6,981 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.4% change. About 63.9% of households rent today, against 59.2% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 35218

About renting in ZIP 35218

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 35218 covers Birmingham, AL. The median rent here is $1,067/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $940/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,030/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($30,739/yr), ZIP 35218 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 35218?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $43,000/year (about $21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,067/mo in ZIP 35218. The local median household income is $30,739/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.