Renting in Mobile
Mobile rent figures showed real, disclosed disagreement across sources this session: Zumper cited an overall average of $1,350/month (July 2026), with one-bedrooms around $940-$955/month and two-bedrooms around $1,100-$1,150/month, while Apartment List cited meaningfully higher figures for the same unit sizes -- $1,460+ for a one-bedroom and $1,770+ for a two-bedroom -- a real spread rather than one settled number.
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Learn moreRent Figures: A Genuine, Disclosed Spread Between Sources
Zumper's July 2026 figures put Mobile's overall average rent at $1,350/month (cited as 30.6% below the $1,945 national median), with internal page variance for one-bedrooms ($940 vs. a separately-cited $955) and two-bedrooms ($1,100 vs. a separately-cited $1,150). Apartment List's figures for the same market ran meaningfully higher: $1,460+ for a one-bedroom and $1,770+ for a two-bedroom. This is a real, disclosed spread across sources rather than a single authoritative figure -- get current, address-specific listing data before budgeting.
Mobile Rents Genuinely Below the National Median, By Any Cited Figure
Even using Apartment List's higher figures, Mobile rents run below many national comparisons; Zumper's more direct national comparison cited Mobile as 30.6% more affordable than the $1,945 national median. Regardless of which specific source's number is used, the direction is consistent: Mobile rents are genuinely more affordable than the national picture.
Neighborhood Variance Is Real
As with home prices, rent varies by neighborhood -- Spring Hill and Midtown are described in general coverage as offering a mix of historic character and rental demand, while West Mobile's newer construction commands different pricing than older, more central neighborhoods. Specific, independently-verified per-neighborhood rent figures were not confirmed this pass; see the best-areas topic page for what was sourced.
Alabama Landlord-Tenant Law: Security Deposits and Notice Periods
Alabama caps security deposits at one month's rent for most leases. Landlords must return the deposit -- or provide a written itemized list of deductions for damages or unpaid rent -- within 35 days of lease end and the tenant vacating; if a landlord misses that 35-day window, they lose the right to withhold any portion of the deposit, and the tenant is entitled to the full amount back. For nonpayment of rent specifically, Alabama law requires landlords to give a seven-business-day notice to pay rent or vacate before filing an eviction suit.
12-Month Leases Are the Norm
Standard 12-month leases are typical in Mobile, as in most US rental markets. Confirm current statutory specifics on deposits, notice periods, and eviction procedures directly for any actual dispute, since these details can be updated by the Alabama legislature.
Key takeaways
- Mobile 1-bedroom rent figures ranged from $940-$955 (Zumper) to $1,460+ (Apartment List); 2-bedroom figures ranged from $1,100-$1,150 (Zumper) to $1,770+ (Apartment List) -- a genuine, disclosed spread across sources.
- Regardless of the exact source figure used, Mobile rents run consistently below national comparisons -- Zumper cited Mobile as 30.6% below the $1,945 national median.
- Neighborhood variance is real -- Spring Hill/Midtown (historic character) versus West Mobile (newer construction) offer different price points, though specific per-neighborhood figures weren't independently confirmed this pass.
- Alabama caps security deposits at one month's rent, requires return (or an itemized deduction list) within 35 days of lease end, and requires a 7-business-day pay-or-quit notice before an eviction suit for nonpayment.
- 12-month leases are standard; confirm current statutory specifics directly for any actual dispute.
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