Birmingham, AL Rental Market Trends
Last updated: July 08, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Birmingham is $1,360, a 2.09% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,332.
Studio Apartments at $996 offer the most budget-friendly option with 454 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 766 square feet for $1,266, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,381 offer 1,085 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,376 sq ft) for $1,667, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Birmingham, AL
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,360 | 985 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $996 | 454 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,266 | 766 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,381 | 1,085 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $1,667 | 1,376 sq. ft. |
Birmingham, AL rent trends
What's the typical rent budget in Birmingham, AL?
The largest share of rentals in Birmingham, AL (51%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Birmingham, AL?
48,386 or 54% of the households in Birmingham, AL are renter-occupied while 40,402 or 46% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Birmingham?
Huffman $780/month
Arlington - West End $786/month
Spring Lake $808/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,360/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Birmingham?
Southside Birmingham $1,687/month
Acton Park $1,868/month
Cotswolds $1,925/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Birmingham, AL By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Cotswolds | $1,925 |
| Acton Park | $1,868 |
| Southside Birmingham | $1,687 |
| Overton | $1,672 |
| Huntington Parc | $1,662 |
| Ross Bridge | $1,640 |
| Five Points South | $1,606 |
| Hermitage - Woodland Village | $1,532 |
| Cahaba Heights | $1,531 |
| Crestline Holiday Gardens | $1,531 |
| Oxmoor | $1,516 |
| Cahaba Commons | $1,508 |
| Downtown Birmingham | $1,463 |
| Forest Park | $1,460 |
| Greystone | $1,431 |
| Gables - Sterling Oaks | $1,331 |
| Devonshire Estates | $1,323 |
| Chase Lake | $1,319 |
| Crestline | $1,301 |
| Chapel Hill | $1,247 |
| Castlehill - Gentilly Forest | $1,246 |
| River Oaks - Savannah Ridge | $1,216 |
| Glen Iris | $1,213 |
| Mountain Oaks | $1,200 |
| Southbury | $1,184 |
| West Homewood | $1,179 |
| Lynngate - Tal Heim | $1,034 |
| Highland Park | $1,031 |
| Echo Highlands | $1,004 |
| Ensley Highlands | $822 |
| Spring Lake | $808 |
| Arlington - West End | $786 |
| Huffman | $780 |
Birmingham | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Acton Park is 138% higher than in Arlington - West End
Acton Park rent is 37% higher than Birmingham average
Arlington - West End rent is 42% lower than Birmingham average
How Birmingham Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $1,360 |
| Mobile | $1,183 |
| Huntsville | $1,278 |
| Montgomery | $1,102 |
| Tuscaloosa | $1,519 |
| Auburn | $1,939 |
| Madison | $1,363 |
| Hoover | $1,307 |
| Vestavia Hills | $1,575 |
| Prattville | $1,452 |
| Bessemer | $1,031 |
| Homewood | $1,387 |
| Pelham | $1,514 |
| Gardendale, AL | $1,382 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Birmingham apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.