ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 36609

Part of Mobile, AL

Pop. 23,820·Mobile County·108th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,003/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

-$929

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 36609 · $1,003

More affordable than 98% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$860

1 BR

$920

2 BR

$1,090

3 BR

$1,420

4 BR+

$1,450

Research median

$1,090/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 36609 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Alabama

Rent in ZIP 36609 changed +5.1% 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 7 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($49,830) is $1,246 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,090); a 3-bedroom is $1,420.

Rank in Mobile

1st cheapest of 9 ZIP codes in Mobile.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 36609. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$12,036/yr

At $1,003/mo median

Location

CityMobile

StateAL

CountyMobile County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.1% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 36609 (Mobile, AL) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 34.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

23,820

Median income

$49,830

Median age

35.3

Renters

54%

Age distribution

20.7%

28.8%

22.7%

16.6%

Under 1820.7%

18–3428.8%

35–5422.7%

55–6411.1%

65+16.6%

Gender

44.8%

55.2%

Male44.8%

Female55.2%

Race & ethnicity

43.1%

45.9%

White43.1%

Black45.9%

Hispanic3.5%

Asian4.6%

Other2.9%

Education (25+)

28.6%

29.7%

34.5%

No HS diploma7.3%

HS diploma28.6%

Some college29.7%

Bachelor's+34.5%

Housing tenure

46%

54%

Owner46%

Renter54%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 36609 in Mobile, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$903 → $1,003

up 11.1%

Income

$41,851 → $49,830

up 19.1%

Population

23,413 → 23,820

up 1.7%

Renter share

57.4% → 54%

-3.4 pts

Bachelor's+

34.1% → 34.5%

+0.4 pts

Median age

35.8 → 35.3

-0.5 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 36609 in Mobile, AL stood at $903 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,003, reflecting a 11.1% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 36609 in Mobile, AL now reports about $49,830, up from $41,851 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 1.7% since 2021, moving from about 23,413 residents to roughly 23,820. Renters now make up 54% of households, compared with 57.4% five years ago. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 36609 in Mobile, AL reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 36609

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 36609 covers Mobile, AL. The median rent here is $1,003/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $920/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,090/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($49,830/yr), ZIP 36609 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 36609?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (about $19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,003/mo in ZIP 36609. The local median household income is $49,830/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 36609?

Rent in ZIP 36609 has risen 5.1% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

How does ZIP 36609 compare to other ZIPs in Alabama?

ZIP 36609 is one of the more affordable among Alabama ZIP codes for rent, ranking #108 of 116 at $1,003/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 36609 changed +5.1%, against a typical +3.1% across the 84 Alabama ZIP codes Zillow tracks.