How many renters in Opelika, AL pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Opelika, AL, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

56.2% (±7.3 points) of renting households in Opelika, AL spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

46.7% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 33.3% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 56.2% (±7.3 points)
Paying 35% or more: 46.7% (±6.1 points)
Median share of income: 33.3% (±3.4 points)

Rent as a share of income in Opelika

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Opelika	Lee County	Alabama	United States
Less than 15%	8.6% (±3.3 points)	12.2%	14.8%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	11.4% (±4.6 points)	10.1%	12.7%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	8.3% (±3.3 points)	11.1%	12.4%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	15.6% (±5.9 points)	9.3%	11.3%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	9.5% (±4.0 points)	6.8%	9.0%	9.2%
35% or more	46.7% (±6.1 points)	50.5%	39.9%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Opelika against Lee County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Opelika	Lee County	Alabama	United States
Paying 30% or more	56.2% (±7.3 points)	57.3% (±3.5 points)	48.9% (±0.8 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	46.7% (±6.1 points)	50.5% (±3.2 points)	39.9% (±0.7 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	33.3% (±3.4 points)	35.4% (±2.8 points)	29.5% (±0.3 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$29,016 (±$3,313)	$30,478 (±$2,358)	$38,294 (±$594)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$950 (±$57)	$1,058 (±$37)	$1,007 (±$8)	$1,413

In Opelika, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Lee County (57.3%).

It is not measurably different from Alabama (48.9%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).

In Lee County, Opelika ranks 2 of 5 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 127 of 489.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Opelika

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Opelika
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Opelika	—	56.2% (±7.3 points)	—
Auburn	7.7 mi	61.1% (±4.4 points)	Not measurably different
Cusseta	9.7 mi	32.0% (±49.4 points)	Not measurably different
Waverly	12 mi	0.0% (±141.4 points)	Not measurably different
Loachapoka	13 mi	35.1% (±69.4 points)	Not measurably different
Valley	14 mi	45.0% (±14.0 points)	Not measurably different
Huguley	15 mi	50.0% (±40.7 points)	Not measurably different
La Fayette	17 mi	57.3% (±23.1 points)	Not measurably different
Lanett	17 mi	42.2% (±18.5 points)	Not measurably different

None of the nearby places differs measurably from this one on this figure.

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Lee County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Auburn	61.1% (±4.4 points)
2	Opelika	56.2% (±7.3 points)
3	Smiths Station	44.7% (±20.4 points)
4	Loachapoka	35.1% (±69.4 points)
5	Waverly	0.0% (±141.4 points)

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Opelika

Are renters in Opelika rent-burdened?

56.2% of renting households in Opelika pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Opelika spend on rent?

The median renting household in Opelika, AL spends 33.3% (±3.4 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Opelika city, Alabama (place:57048, in state:01).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.