From beaches to history to affordable rents, Alabama offers a budget-friendly lifestyle.
Home to the largest space museum in the country and a thriving dining scene, Alabama has a little of everything to offer. Don’t forget access to the coast via Gulf Shores and Orange Beach — perfect for those long, humid summer days.
Alabama average rent prices
The pandemic encouraged people around the country to flee major cities in favor of more affordable rents or to be closer to their families. Forty-seven of Alabama’s 67 counties saw an increase in population in the past few years and average rent prices in Alabama are up 12.5 percent.
Despite the increase in rent prices, Alabama as a whole still remains below the national average. You can find a one-bedroom apartment for $1,078 per month on average.
The cheapest cities in Alabama for renters
Well below the national average, some of the cheapest rents in the South can be found in Alabama. Keep reading to find out the 10 cheapest places to live in Alabama and what they have to offer.
10. Moody
Source: Rent.com/The Oaks of St. Clair
- Average 1-BR rent price: $901
- Average rent change in the past year: -1.00%
About 20 miles from Birmingham, Moody is a small city with a lot of charm. The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum has over 1,600 motorbikes from manufacturers worldwide, plus some great racing cars. On the weekends, head over to the Coyote Drive-In and enjoy the latest releases or classic movies.
If you’re more of an outdoors person, zip line your way to the Ridge Adventure Park with 35 miles of off-road trails. You can find a one-bedroom in Moody for $901 a month on average.
9. Mountain Brook
Source: ApartmentGuide.com/Lane Park
- Average 1-BR rent price: $873
- Average rent change in the past year: 0.21%
Despite its proximity to Birmingham, Mountain Brook has the feeling of a small town. You can find its charm right downtown with small boutiques, fine dining and a parade of cute porches. Pick up one of the famous limeades from Gilchrist, an after-school tradition for many kids. Jemison Park offers easy trails to stroll through in the afternoon.
If this is your cup of tea, snag a one-bedroom apartment in this city for $873 per month on average.
8. Dothan
Source: Rent.com/Highland Hills Apartment Homes
- Average 1-BR rent price: $854
- Average rent change in the past year: 8.27%
Only 16 miles from the Florida State Line, Dothan is known as the peanut capital of the world, with one-fourth of all crops produced here. The annual National Peanut Festival — going strong since 1938 — is a huge 10-day celebration in the community that includes music, a pageant, a petting zoo and more.
On average, you can find a one-bedroom for $854 a month, an 8 percent increase since last year.
7. Vestavia
Source: Rent.com/Grand Highlands Vestavia Hills
- Average 1-BR rent price: $847
- Average rent change in the past year: -8.11%
You can find one of the cheapest apartments in Vestavia, a small Birmingham suburb. This community has seen a decrease of 8 percent in rent prices over the past year, with one-bedrooms hovering around $847 a month on average.
Vestavia was incorporated as its own city in 1950, and since then, it has grown to nearly 40,000 residents. Wald Park features a swimming pool, a civic center and plenty of sports fields and trails for kids to enjoy the outdoors.
6. Alabaster
Source: Rent.com/Wellington Manor
- Average 1-BR rent price: $825
- Average rent change in the past year: 3.57%
Alabaster is a relatively small city that boasts mild winters and plenty of outdoor opportunities for the whole family. Don’t miss relaxing on a fall afternoon at the beautiful Corbin Farms winery — their wine tasting flights allow you to try the entire menu. Abby Wooley Park and Buck Creek Park feature scenic trails and picnic spaces.
The area has seen an almost four percent rent increase in the past year. A one-bedroom is now $825 per month on average.
5. Northport
Source: Rent.com/Forest Trail
- Average 1-BR rent price: $816
- Average rent change in the past year: 4.60%
Taking our No. 5 spot for cheapest places to live in Alabama is Northport. This city is only two miles from Tuscaloosa and has access to Lake Lurleen’s state park. The state park includes the 250-acre lake, along with a 23-mile trail system. You can kayak, picnic and even swim in the beach area.
The Van De Graaff Park and Arboretum is nearby, with options for fishing, hiking or camping while being surrounded by wetlands and ponds.
You can also enjoy this on weekends with a one-bedroom that costs $816 per month on average.
4. Tuscaloosa
- Average 1-BR rent price: $764
- Average rent change in the past year: -1.78%
Home to the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide, Tuscaloosa has grown exponentially in recent years. It’s not surprising as the city offers everything from higher education, a children’s museum and parks to arts and entertainment.
Next to the Tuscaloosa River, you can enjoy the boardwalk in the afternoon, followed by dinner and a show at the Bama Theatre.
The college town remains affordable at $764 per month on average for a one-bedroom apartment, down nearly 2 percent from last year.
3. Muscle Shoals
Source: Rent.com/Arbor Village
- Average 1-BR rent price: $650
- Average rent change in the past year: 0.00%
Located right on the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals is a small community of nearly 15,000. The rent prices haven’t changed over the past year, holding at $650 per month on average.
Experience what they call the “Muscle Shoals sound” by visiting the many music studios in town, where Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon and the Rolling Stones recorded. Nearby, admire the Rosenbaum House by world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Or walk along the historic Old Railroad Bridge, now closed to cars and open to pedestrians and bikes.
2. Montgomery
- Average 1-BR rent price: $614
- Average rent change in the past year: 2.66%
It’s hard to talk about Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, without talking about its history in the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King, Jr., preached here at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and many marches led by local civil rights leaders.
The city also has more than 1,600 acres of parkland and a thriving arts and culture scene with the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Those wanting to live in the city center are lucky as Montgomery has only seen a small price change in rent. You can find a one-bedroom for $614 per month on average.
1. Fairfield
Source: Rent.com/Chateau Glen Oaks
- Average 1-BR rent price: $583
- Average rent change in the past year: 1.29%
And the cheapest place to live in Alabama is Fairfield, only seven miles from Birmingham. At $583 per month on average for a one-bedroom, living in Fairfield is a steal. While close to downtown Birmingham, Fairfield offers incredible views of downtown at Railroad Park along with trails and a large lake.
Get ready for 18 holes at RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley, or take the whole family to the Alabama Splash Adventure. On the weekends, stop by the Market at Pepper Place and stock up on fresh produce.
The most expensive places to live in Alabama
Have a spot in mind, but aren’t exactly sure if it fits your budget? Check out the 10 most expensive places to live in Alabama.
Methodology
Rent prices are based on a one-year rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory as of August 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
We excluded cities with insufficient inventory from this report.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com