Birmingham is a city full of history, great food, and traffic that turns a 10-minute drive into a 45-minute meditation on why you ever left the house. It’s a fantastic place to live—if you don’t mind shelling out some serious coin on rent. Fortunately, several affordable Birmingham suburbs offer lower prices, more space, and a much smaller chance of getting honked at by an impatient driver before sunrise. Here’s a quick look at ten of the most affordable Birmingham suburbs for renters in 2025.
Birmingham’s housing market at a glance
Birmingham is known for a thriving food scene, and Southern hospitality, but housing costs can still be a challenge. Fortunately, several nearby suburbs provide more affordable alternatives without sacrificing convenience or quality of life. Here’s a quick look at Birmingham’s current housing prices before diving into the best budget-friendly suburbs.
| Average 1-bedroom rent in Birmingham | $1,444 |
| Average 2-bedroom rent in Birmingham | $1,504 |
| Median home price in Birmingham | $139,900 |
1. Center Point
If you’ve ever wanted to live somewhere cheap enough that you can afford rent and more than one hobby, Center Point is for you.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $535
- Distance from Birmingham: 10 miles northeast
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 15 minutes
At $535 per month for a 1-bedroom, Center Point is the kind of place where you can actually afford rent and groceries. The suburb has plenty of green space, including Reed-Harvey Park, where you can walk around scenic ponds and unplug from your nine-to-five. If you’re looking for a weekend adventure, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve has hiking trails and natural swimming holes, perfect for cooling off when Alabama decides to turn the heat up to unbearable. Housing options in Center Point include affordable apartments and single-family homes that won’t require you to refinance your future.
2. Montevallo
A town where history, art, and unbelievably low rent prices collide in a way that feels too good to be true.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $650
- Distance from Birmingham: 35 miles south
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 40 minutes
Coming in at about $650 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment, Montevallo is not just affordable—it’s practically a steal. Home to The University of Montevallo, this town has a classic Alabama college town vibe. Orr Park is famous for its carved trees, which make you feel like you’ve wandered into a magical forest. For a dose of American history, The American Village offers a full-on colonial-era experience, ideal for anyone who’s ever wanted to dress up like they’re about to sign the Declaration of Independence. Housing here includes everything from student-friendly rentals to historic homes with porches designed for sweet tea sipping.
3. Irondale
Home to breathtaking hiking trails, classic Southern food, and rent prices that somehow haven’t caught up with the rest of the world.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $923
- Distance from Birmingham: 7 miles east
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 10 minutes
At $923 per month for a 1-bedroom, Irondale is an affordable Birmingham suburb for renters who love history, nature, and really good food. The Irondale Café, famous for inspiring the book Fried Green Tomatoes, is a must-visit for Southern comfort food lovers. If you want to burn off some of that cornbread, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve has trails with views that can’t be beat. And if you enjoy community festivals, the Irondale Whistle Stop Festival brings live music, crafts, and plenty of local charm.
4. Gardendale
A place where neighbors wave, kids play outside, and you can still find an affordable house with an actual yard.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $970
- Distance from Birmingham: 12 miles north
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 15 minutes
With the average 1-bedroom apartment going for $970 per month, Gardendale serves up affordability with a side of small-town charm. The Gardendale Civic Center hosts fitness classes and community events, which is perfect for people who actually follow through on their New Year’s resolutions. The annual Magnolia Festival brings music, food, and rides that make you feel like a kid again. Housing in Gardendale ranges from affordable apartments to family-friendly neighborhoods with backyards big enough to host your kid’s birthday party.
5. Fultondale
If you want small-town charm, easy access to Birmingham, and rent prices that won’t make you weep, Fultondale is calling your name.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $993
- Distance from Birmingham: 9 miles north
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 12 minutes
At $993 per month for a 1-bedroom, Fultondale is an ideal spot to lay down roots. Black Creek Park has trails, playgrounds, and more. Downtown Fultondale is full of small shops and restaurants that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Hallmark movie. And if you want to connect with the community, the Annual Founder’s Day Festival celebrates the city’s heritage with music, crafts, and enough food to keep you full for days.
6. Alabaster
A growing suburb where you can hike a scenic trail, catch a local festival, and still pay less for rent than most city apartments.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,090
- Distance from Birmingham: 23 miles south
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 30 minutes
With an average 1-bedroom rent of $1,090 per month, Alabaster offers suburban comfort with a growing list of amenities. Buck Creek Trail is perfect for scenic walks, while Veterans Park is equipped with playgrounds, sports fields, and fishing ponds. Alabaster CityFest is a free music and arts festival that turns the town into a party. Housing here includes new developments, townhomes, and apartments that still fall under the “affordable” category—for now.
7. Pelham
Where Alabama’s largest state park meets budget-friendly rent, making it the perfect spot for outdoorsy folks who also enjoy indoor plumbing.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,125
- Distance from Birmingham: 20 miles south
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 25 minutes
At $1,125 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment, Pelham is where you go when you want affordable rent and outdoor adventure. Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park, with everything from hiking trails to a petting zoo (because who doesn’t love baby goats?). The Pelham Civic Complex houses an ice skating rink, which is probably the most effective way to cool off in an Alabama summer.
8. Homewood
The kind of trendy suburb where you can shop at a boutique, sip an overpriced latte, and somehow still afford rent.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,240
- Distance from Birmingham: 5 miles south
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 10 minutes
With an average 1-bedroom rent of about $1,240 per month, Homewood is a sweet spot to settle down in. Downtown Homewood is packed with boutique shops and amazing restaurants, like the beloved Real & Rosemary. If you like the feel of a classic Alabama college town, you’ve got Samford University right there. Housing options include apartments, condos, and charming bungalows that make you feel like you should own a rescue dog and a record player.
9. Hoover
A suburb with giant shopping centers and beautiful parks. What more could you ask for?
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,312
- Distance from Birmingham: 10 miles south
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 15 minutes
At $1,312 per month for a 1-bedroom, Hoover is one of the pricier suburbs, but you’re paying for convenience. The Riverchase Galleria is one of the largest shopping centers in the Southeast, so retail therapy is always an option. Aldridge Gardens offers a peaceful escape, while Moss Rock Preserve has hiking trails and boulder fields for those who like their exercise to come with a side of adrenaline.
10. Vestavia Hills
A place where excellent schools, scenic parks, and slightly fancier-than-average grocery stores make you feel like you really have your life together.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,356
- Distance from Birmingham: 6 miles south
- Drive time to Birmingham: About 8 minutes
With the average 1-bedroom rent sitting at $1,356 per month, Vestavia Hills is the priciest suburb on this list. That said, you’re paying for top-tier schools, tree-lined streets, and a general sense that your life is slightly more put together than it actually is. The Library in the Forest is a local gem—a modern, eco-friendly library with huge windows that make you feel like you should be reading something profound. Housing in Vestavia Hills range from stylish apartments to spacious homes in picturesque neighborhoods.
Find the best affordable Birmingham suburb for you
Finding affordable Birmingham suburbs isn’t impossible—you just need to know where to look. If you want cheap rent and small-town charm, Center Point is your best bet. Looking for hiking trails and outdoor adventures? Pelham has you covered. Want great restaurants and trendy boutiques? Homewood is your spot—if you can afford it.
No matter what your budget is, there’s an affordable suburb near Birmingham that fits your needs. The hardest part? Choosing the right one for you.
Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s one-bedroom rent was less than Birmingham’s average rent and under 45 miles from downtown Birmingham. Average rental data from Birmingham rental market trends in February, 2025. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
