Cheap Apartments for Rent in Tuscaloosa, AL from $400 (121 Rentals)

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Tuscaloosa, AL Local Guide

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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Tuscaloosa, AL

Pricing Updated: 04/08/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Tuscaloosa, AL area range in price from $465 to $8,000 with an overall median price of $2,994. The three Tuscaloosa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Skyland McFarland at $495, West Tuscaloosa at $495, and Downtown Tuscaloosa at $465. Here is today’s list of the top 6 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Tuscaloosa Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Skyland McFarland$1,335$495130
West Tuscaloosa$1,629$49570
Downtown Tuscaloosa$3,200$46539
The Strip$3,200$46529
University of Alabama$3,200$46526
East Tuscaloosa$5,400$49589

Cheapest Available Tuscaloosa Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Tuscaloosa, AL is a Studio unit found at Flex Studio Apartments in the Skyland McFarland neighborhood priced from $495. Cobblestone Court in the University of Alabama neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $630. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Tuscaloosa apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Flex Studio Apartments1BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$495
Cobblestone CourtHardwood LVT Flooring UnitStudio,1BA$630
Forest Lake ApartmentsSmall One BR1BR,1BA$750
The Summit at the RiverRiver Pointe 11BR,1BA$750
Arbor Place ApartmentsOne Bedroom/One Bath1BR,1BA$764
Regal Pointe Apartment HomesStudio - 1BathStudio,1BA$789
Mountain View Apartment HomesStudioStudio,1BA$799
Brookstone Apartment Homes1Bed - 1Bath1BR,1BA$799
Creekwood Village Apartments1x11BR,1BA$800
Aspen Village Apartment Homes2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$809

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Tuscaloosa, AL

As of April 08, 2026 the best value apartment in the Tuscaloosa area is the $0.76 price per square foot E1 Model at My House on 13th in the in the University of Alabama neighborhood starting from $1,535. The second greatest value Tuscaloosa apartment is the Metalworks Condo Model at Metalworks Condos starting at $925 with a $0.51 price per square foot in the Northport North of River neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Tuscaloosa apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
My House on 13thE15BR,5BA$0.76
Metalworks CondosMetalworks Condo3BR,4BA$0.51
Union Tuscaloosa5x5 Penthouse5BR,5BA$0.91
The OverlookA3BR,3BA$0.81
Redpoint Tuscaloosa2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom2BR,2.5BA$0.74
Copper Creek2Bed + 1.5 Bath Townhouse Reno2BR,1.5BA$0.93
Sun Valley Apartments2 BR 2 BA2BR,2BA$0.97
2800 McFarland2800 McFarland2BR,2BA$1.00
Dogwood Lane Apartments2 BR 1 BA2BR,1BA$0.95
High Country ApartmentsTwo Bed One Bath2BR,1BA$0.98

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Tuscaloosa Overview

Tuscaloosa, Alabama is more than just the home to the Crimson Tide. The city’s economy continues to thrive with the presence of multi-national manufacturing firms, including Chrysler-Mercedes and Michelin Tires. It is an area full of old traditions and new energy that continues to delight both locals and visitors.

Why live in Tuscaloosa, AL?

As the fifth-largest city in Alabama, Tuscaloosa has become a regional hub of industry, commerce, healthcare and education for West Alabama. Not only has it been dubbed “The City of Champions” due the successes of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, it has also been recognized as the “Most Livable City in the America” by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Other prestigious honors include being in the top “100 Best Communities for Young People” by America’s Promise Alliance and one of the “Best Places to Launch a Small Business” by CNN Money. Ultimately, Tuscaloosa has become one of Alabama’s most progressive cities with a refreshing atmosphere, rich history, museums and parks, and bustling nightlife. It is definitely an area where you can grow and thrive.

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Tuscaloosa Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Tuscaloosa?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Tuscaloosa is under $809.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Tuscaloosa?

The cheapest apartment in Tuscaloosa is The Summit at the River which is listed at $750, while the average apartment in Tuscaloosa costs $2,994.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Tuscaloosa?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 176 regular apartments in Tuscaloosa that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Tuscaloosa?

Cheap apartments in Tuscaloosa have an average cost of $947 which is $2,047 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Tuscaloosa.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

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Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.