Birmingham has a 56-foot reminder of its industrial past watching over the city: Vulcan, the Roman god of the forge and the largest cast-iron statue in the world. The larger-than-life landmark feels fitting for a place nicknamed the “Magic City,” which sprang up around the iron and steel industry after its founding in 1871. Today, Birmingham pairs that history with a celebrated food scene, more than 120 city parks, and neighborhoods that can feel surprisingly different just a few miles apart.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Birmingham, choosing a neighborhood is more than finding the lowest monthly rent. We’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of the best neighborhoods in Birmingham for renters based on:
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Rental availability
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Average rent relative to other neighborhoods in the city
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Proximity to points of interest like work hubs, universities, downtown areas, shopping centers, or major parks
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Niche.com’s neighborhood report cards
The five best neighborhoods in Birmingham for renters are:
Highland Park
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Birmingham: $1,184/month
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Highland Park: $987/month
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Average 1-bedroom square footage: 610 square feet
Why Highland Park is good for renters
Highland Park makes a strong case for renters who want historic character without giving up a central location. Its hilly streets weave among apartment buildings, historic homes, pocket parks, restaurants, and the Highland Park Golf Course, while UAB and Five Points South sit nearby. The greenery is more than window dressing: Birmingham's official map shows several parks threaded through the neighborhood, including Rhodes, Caldwell, Rushton, and Underwood parks. At $987 for an average one-bedroom, Highland Park also offers one of the clearest opportunities on this list to rent below the Birmingham average.
Moderately Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Very Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
70Highland Park has a walkability score of 70 out of 100. |
30Highland Park has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
80Highland Park has a drivability score of 80 out of 100. |
50Highland Park has a bikeability score of 50 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Those scenic hills can make a short trip feel longer on foot or bike, and public transportation is limited. The neighborhood's drivability score makes having a car a useful alternative.
Avondale
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Birmingham: $1,184/month
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Avondale: $1,169/month
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Average 1-bedroom square footage: 715 square feet
Why Avondale is good for renters
Avondale has transformed its industrial roots into one of Birmingham's more distinctive places to eat, drink, hang out, and learn. Restaurants and entertainment cluster around the neighborhood's commercial core, while historic Avondale Park provides a substantial green counterpoint to the activity. The city still makes the park's amphitheater and villa available for special-event reservations, giving the neighborhood a built-in gathering place rather than simply another patch of grass.
Fairly Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Very Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
40Avondale has a walkability score of 40 out of 100. |
30Avondale has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
80Avondale has a drivability score of 80 out of 100. |
40Avondale has a bikeability score of 40 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Avondale's restaurants and entertainment might be concentrated, but it also makes Avondale a noisier neighborhood in Birmingham.
Five Points South
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Birmingham: $1,184/month
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Five Points South: $1,111/month
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Average 1-bedroom square footage: 638 square feet
Why Five Points South is good for renters
Five Points South packs restaurants, historic architecture, UAB access, and entertainment into one of the more walkable neighborhoods on this list. Its commercial district is important enough that Birmingham maintains specific urban-design guidelines for Five Points South. Renters can also reach destinations like Railroad Park, Regions Field, and the Vulcan Trail without living squarely in Downtown. Better yet, renters will find constant things to do year-round including festivals and events.
Moderately Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Moderately Drivable |
Moderately Bikeable |
70Five Points South has a walkability score of 70 out of 100. |
30Five Points South has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
70Five Points South has a drivability score of 70 out of 100. |
60Five Points South has a bikeability score of 60 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
With great variety comes great traffic. Living close to restaurants, nightlife, and a major university means accepting more activity than you'd find on Birmingham's quieter residential streets. Public transportation is also limited despite the neighborhood's relatively strong walkability.
Southside
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Birmingham: $1,184/month
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Southside: $1,432/month
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Average 1-bedroom square footage: 717 square feet
Why Southside is good for renters
Southside is a strong option when being close to the action matters more than finding the cheapest rent. Its position near UAB and Downtown puts restaurants, entertainment, employment, and cultural attractions within a relatively compact area, while historic buildings keep it from feeling like a purely modern apartment district. Birmingham's citywide preservation map identifies Southside as one of the city's historic districts, alongside nearby Five Points South, Highland Park, and Glen Iris Park.
Moderately Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Moderately Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
70Southside has a walkability score of 70 out of 100. |
30Southside has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
70Southside has a drivability score of 70 out of 100. |
50Southside has a bikeability score of 50 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Southside's $1,432 average one-bedroom rent is roughly $250 above the Birmingham average. Renters prioritizing price over proximity to UAB and Downtown may get more value in Highland Park or Five Points South.
Glen Iris
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Birmingham: $1,184/month
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Average 1-bedroom rent in Glen Iris: $1,677/month
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Average 1-bedroom square footage: 782 square feet
Why Glen Iris is good for renters
Glen Iris shows off Birmingham's topography, with wooded hills and winding roads giving parts of the neighborhood a tucked-away feel despite its location just south of Downtown. Its historic credentials are substantial, too: the city recognizes Glen Iris Park as a historic district. Nearby destinations include UAB, Vulcan Park, the Birmingham Zoo, and Birmingham Botanical Gardens, while shopping clusters toward the neighborhood's southern end.
Fairly Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
50Glen Iris has a walkability score of 50 out of 100. |
30Glen Iris has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
90Glen Iris has a drivability score of 90 out of 100. |
40Glen Iris has a bikeability score of 40 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Glen Iris is both the most expensive and most car-oriented neighborhood on this list. Its hills and winding streets may also make biking less practical for everyday transportation.
Ready to Make the Move?
If Birmingham has caught your eye, take the next step with Apartments.com! Whether you’re dropping in for a short-term lease or hoping to set down roots, Apartments.com has the tools to help you find the perfect place. Navigate housing across neighborhoods with our customized search engine and use our customizable filters to narrow your search by price, amenities, and floor plan.
Wherever you are and wherever you’re going, the options are endless with Apartments.com.
Apartment rent and cost of living data provided by CoStar Group’s August 2026 reports.
Methodology
Rent and cost of living data are sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends pages and Cost of Living Calculator. Walkability, transit, drivability, and bikeability ratings are sourced from the Apartments.com Area Guides, courtesy of Local Logic. Additional neighborhood research was drawn from City of Birmingham planning, parks, preservation, and mapping resources.
FAQs
Is Birmingham a good place to live?
Yes, Birmingham is a good place to live for renters who value affordability, food, history, green space, and neighborhoods with distinct personalities. The city combines a celebrated food and arts scene with destinations such as Railroad Park and the 2.2-mile Vulcan Trail, while its neighborhoods range from lively entertainment districts to wooded residential areas.
Is Birmingham an expensive place to live?
No, Birmingham is relatively affordable compared with the country overall. Birmingham’s cost of living is 10.1% below the national average, while housing costs are 31.1% lower. Groceries cost about 4.9% less and transportation 10.6% less than national averages, although utilities run approximately 3% higher.
What's the average rent in Birmingham?
The average rent in Birmingham is $1,184/month, as of August 2026. This is 29% below the national average rent of $1,664/month.
What salary do you need to live in Birmingham?
Based on the standard guideline of spending no more than 30% of monthly income on rent, an average $1,184 Birmingham apartment would call for an income of about $47,360 per year before tax. Actual needs will vary depending on utilities, transportation, debt, savings, and other expenses.
