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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Athens

Athens, AL has 13 income-based rental properties totaling 988 units, giving renters a range of affordable options in this mid-sized North Alabama city. Of the 5 properties with available inspection scores, 3 rated excellent and 1 rated good, suggesting most of the affordable housing stock here is well-maintained. None of the 5 flood-mapped properties carry high flood risk.

13
Properties
988
Total units
76/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$899/mo

Affordability

Athens has a median household income of $69,922 and a median gross rent of $899 per month, with renters making up 36% of occupied households, according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates (2024). Athens has 5 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties offering 506 total units for income-qualified renters.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
243 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Athens Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 243 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 44 · Car-Dependent

Getting Around Athens

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Athens has a Walk Score of 44 ("Car-Dependent") and a Bike Score of 49. No Transit Score is available for this area. Most errands and commutes will likely require a personal vehicle.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
16 schools · 2 districts

Schools

According to the NCES Common Core of Data, 16 schools across 2 districts serve Athens, including 7 elementary, 1 middle, and 7 high schools, plus 1 other. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$69,922 median income

Cost of Renting in Athens, AL

The median household income in Athens is $69,922 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates (as of 2024). The median gross rent in the city is $899 per month, according to the same source.

Affordable and income-based housing in Athens is administered through 5 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties totaling 506 units. Rents at these properties are set based on income limits and program rules, and are typically lower than market-rate rents in the area.

  • Median household income: $69,922/year (Census ACS 5-Year, 2024)
  • Median market rent: $899/month (Census ACS 5-Year, 2024)
  • Renter-occupied households: 36% of all households (Census ACS 5-Year, 2024)
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 5 assisted properties in Athens have been mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, which is a reassuring baseline for renters concerned about flood exposure.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 76/100(5 of 13 scored)
90+ (3)70–89 (1)<60 (1)No score (8)

13 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 13 affordable apartments in Athens→

Other cities in AL

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Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in AL› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Athens, AL

Athens is a mid-sized North Alabama city where renters make up 36 percent of households, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The city has 5 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties totaling 506 units, giving renters a range of options to explore.

Of the 5 scored properties, 3 earned an excellent rating and 1 earned a good rating, based on HUD inspection data. None of the 5 mapped properties fall in a high-risk flood zone.

The median asking rent in Athens is $899 per month and the median household income is $69,922, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. Understanding how assisted housing rents compare to that market rate can help you find a unit that fits your budget.

Athens has 16 public schools across 2 districts, including 7 elementary schools and 7 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. The city scores 44 (Car-Dependent) for walkability and 49 for bikeability, according to Walk Score, so access to a vehicle is helpful for most daily trips.

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Athens Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 243 per 100,000 residents in 2024.

Eligibility & how to apply

Alabama income limits (2026)Alabama public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Alabama

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →