ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 35243

Part of Birmingham, AL

Pop. 18,176·Jefferson County·29th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,661/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

-$271

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 35243 · $1,661

More affordable than 61% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,370

1 BR

$1,540

2 BR

$1,690

3 BR

$2,110

4 BR+

$2,400

Research median

$1,690/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

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 35243 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Alabama

Rent in ZIP 35243 changed +1.3% 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 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($99,645) is $2,491 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,400).

Rank in Birmingham

11th cheapest of 11 ZIP codes in Birmingham.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 35216, 3 miles away, rents for 24% less ($1,258/mo), about $4,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 35243. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,932/yr

At $1,661/mo median

Location

CityBirmingham

StateAL

CountyJefferson County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.3% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 35243 (Birmingham, AL) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 72.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,176

Median income

$99,645

Median age

39.2

Renters

45.9%

Age distribution

21.8%

22.9%

26.7%

19.8%

Under 1821.8%

18–3422.9%

35–5426.7%

55–648.8%

65+19.8%

Gender

47%

53%

Male47%

Female53%

Race & ethnicity

85.2%

White85.2%

Black6.5%

Hispanic3.6%

Asian2.1%

Other2.5%

Education (25+)

15.5%

72.4%

No HS diploma1.5%

HS diploma10.6%

Some college15.5%

Bachelor's+72.4%

Housing tenure

54.1%

45.9%

Owner54.1%

Renter45.9%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 35243 in Birmingham, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,529 → $1,661

up 8.6%

Income

$93,317 → $99,645

up 6.8%

Population

17,532 → 18,176

up 3.7%

Renter share

43.2% → 45.9%

+2.7 pts

Bachelor's+

70.6% → 72.4%

+1.8 pts

Median age

39.7 → 39.2

-0.5 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in ZIP 35243 in Birmingham, AL has climbed by $132 per month, settling near $1,661 after starting the period at $1,529. Household income in the area moved from $93,317 to $99,645 across the same window, up 6.8% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 17,532 to 18,176 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.7% change. About 45.9% of households rent today, against 43.2% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 35243 in Birmingham, AL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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About renting in ZIP 35243

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 35243 covers Birmingham, AL. The median rent here is $1,661/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,540/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,690/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($99,645/yr), ZIP 35243 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 35243?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,661/mo in ZIP 35243. The local median household income is $99,645/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 35243?

Rent in ZIP 35243 has risen 1.3% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2022.

How does ZIP 35243 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 35243 is one of the pricier among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #29 of 116 at $1,661/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 35243 changed +1.3%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.