ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 36542

Part of Gulf Shores, AL

Pop. 18,906·Baldwin County·12th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,787/mo

Year-over-Year

-4.3%

Month-over-Month

-1.6%

vs US Median

-$145

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 36542 · $1,787

More affordable than 52% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,150

1 BR

$1,260

2 BR

$1,410

3 BR

$1,770

4 BR+

$2,280

Research median

$1,410/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 36542 changed -4.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 5 months in a row, and rose in 3 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($79,639) is $1,991 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,770); a 4-bedroom is $2,280.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 36542. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$21,444/yr

At $1,787/mo median

Location

CityGulf Shores

StateAL

CountyBaldwin County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 4.3% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-4.3% YoY, -1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 36542 (Gulf Shores, AL) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 38.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,906

Median income

$79,639

Median age

Renters

27.4%

Age distribution

18.2%

15.2%

25.9%

15%

25.7%

Under 1818.2%

18–3415.2%

35–5425.9%

55–6415%

65+25.7%

Gender

45.2%

54.8%

Male45.2%

Female54.8%

Race & ethnicity

88.2%

White88.2%

Black2.3%

Hispanic5.3%

Asian1%

Other3.2%

Education (25+)

21.7%

36.1%

38.9%

No HS diploma3.3%

HS diploma21.7%

Some college36.1%

Bachelor's+38.9%

Housing tenure

72.6%

27.4%

Owner72.6%

Renter27.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 36542 in Gulf Shores, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$53,327 → $79,639

up 49.3%

Population

16,699 → 18,906

up 13.2%

Renter share

35.7% → 27.4%

-8.3 pts

Bachelor's+

35.6% → 38.9%

+3.3 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $53,327 in 2021 to $79,639 more recently. The population has grown by 13.2% since 2021, moving from about 16,699 residents to roughly 18,906. Renters now make up 27.4% of households, compared with 35.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 38.9% of adults here, versus 35.6% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 36542

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 36542 covers Gulf Shores, AL. The median rent here is $1,787/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,260/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,410/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($79,639/yr), ZIP 36542 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 36542?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (about $34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,787/mo in ZIP 36542. The local median household income is $79,639/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 36542?

Rent in ZIP 36542 has fallen 4.3% over the past year.

How does ZIP 36542 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 36542 is one of the pricier among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #12 of 116 at $1,787/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 36542 changed -4.3%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.