ZIP Code · AL

ZIP 36801

Part of Opelika, AL

Pop. 25,438·Lee County·46th most expensive ZIP in Alabama

Median rent (all units)

$1,456/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-1.0%

vs US Median

-$476

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 36801 · $1,456

More affordable than 76% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$790

1 BR

$1,000

2 BR

$1,100

3 BR

$1,390

4 BR+

$1,580

Research median

$1,100/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

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($62,414) is $1,560 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,390); a 4-bedroom is $1,580.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 36801. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,472/yr

At $1,456/mo median

Location

CityOpelika

StateAL

CountyLee County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 36801 (Opelika, AL) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 35.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

25,438

Median income

$62,414

Median age

40.6

Renters

35.8%

Age distribution

23.6%

18.9%

24.9%

12.7%

20%

Under 1823.6%

18–3418.9%

35–5424.9%

55–6412.7%

65+20%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

54.5%

38.6%

White54.5%

Black38.6%

Hispanic5.9%

Asian1.5%

Education (25+)

23.3%

29.8%

35.7%

No HS diploma11.2%

HS diploma23.3%

Some college29.8%

Bachelor's+35.7%

Housing tenure

64.2%

35.8%

Owner64.2%

Renter35.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 36801 in Opelika, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$50,224 → $62,414

up 24.3%

Population

23,566 → 25,438

up 7.9%

Renter share

34.3% → 35.8%

+1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

31.6% → 35.7%

+4.1 pts

Median household income rose from $50,224 to $62,414 between 2021 and 2024, a 24.3% shift. The population has grown by 7.9% since 2021, moving from about 23,566 residents to roughly 25,438. Renters now make up 35.8% of households, compared with 34.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 35.7% of adults here, versus 31.6% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 36801

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 36801 covers Opelika, AL. The median rent here is $1,456/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,000/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,100/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($62,414/yr), ZIP 36801 ranks as affordable 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 36801?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (about $28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,456/mo in ZIP 36801. The local median household income is $62,414/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.