ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 35401

Part of Tuscaloosa, AL

Pop. 43,459·Tuscaloosa County·3rd most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$2,141/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.4%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

+$209

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 35401 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 35401 · $2,141

More expensive than 68% 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

$930

1 BR

$940

2 BR

$1,130

3 BR

$1,440

4 BR+

$1,500

Research median

$1,130/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 35401 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Alabama

Rent in ZIP 35401 changed +6.4% 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 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($29,152) is $729 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($930).

Rank in Tuscaloosa

4th cheapest of 4 ZIP codes in Tuscaloosa.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 35476, 4 miles away, rents for 59% less ($886/mo), about $15,100 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 35401. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$25,692/yr

At $2,141/mo median

Location

CityTuscaloosa

StateAL

CountyTuscaloosa County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.4% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 35401 (Tuscaloosa, AL) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 28% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

43,459

Median income

$29,152

Median age

21.8

Renters

73%

Age distribution

60.4%

12.4%

Under 1811%

18–3460.4%

35–5412.4%

55–646.8%

65+9.5%

Gender

47.2%

52.8%

Male47.2%

Female52.8%

Race & ethnicity

48.1%

43.8%

White48.1%

Black43.8%

Hispanic4.3%

Asian2.2%

Other1.6%

Education (25+)

15.6%

30.7%

25.8%

28%

No HS diploma15.6%

HS diploma30.7%

Some college25.8%

Bachelor's+28%

Housing tenure

27%

73%

Owner27%

Renter73%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 35401 in Tuscaloosa, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,738 → $2,141

up 23.2%

Income

$24,209 → $29,152

up 20.4%

Population

36,403 → 43,459

up 19.4%

Renter share

66.4% → 73%

+6.6 pts

Bachelor's+

26.2% → 28%

+1.8 pts

Median age

23.7 → 21.8

-1.9 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 35401 in Tuscaloosa, AL has climbed from $1,738 to $2,141, a 23.2% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 35401 in Tuscaloosa, AL now reports about $29,152, up from $24,209 in 2021. The population has grown by 19.4% since 2021, moving from about 36,403 residents to roughly 43,459. Renters now make up 73% of households, compared with 66.4% five years ago. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 35401 in Tuscaloosa, AL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 35401

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 35401

About renting in ZIP 35401

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 35401 covers Tuscaloosa, AL. The median rent here is $2,141/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $940/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,130/mo.

At 88% of local median household income ($29,152/yr), ZIP 35401 ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 35401?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (about $41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,141/mo in ZIP 35401. The local median household income is $29,152/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 35401?

Rent in ZIP 35401 has risen 6.4% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2022.

How does ZIP 35401 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 35401 is one of the pricier among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #3 of 116 at $2,141/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 35401 changed +6.4%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.