Real Estate Investing in Valdosta, Georgia (31636)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Lowndes County • Population: 11,184 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 31636 (Valdosta, GA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 17.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Valdosta, GA (31636)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $265,779
Avg Monthly Rent $990
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,280
% Renters 38.7%

Market Analysis: 31636 Valdosta

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Valdosta's 31636 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $266K pricing implies.

The investment case in 31636 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $266K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader GA picture, 31636 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A impressive renter share of 39% in 31636 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 31636 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $266K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Valdosta:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $990/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Valdosta, GA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
73 days
Average time to sell
Slow
7.5%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Valdosta, GA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 31636

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$83,967/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $170,748 $1,100 4.6% +8.0% $85,374
3BR $251,901 $1,460 4.2% +8.8% $83,967
4BR $336,688 $1,770 3.8% +7.3% $84,172

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$277K$246K$215K$185K$154K$123KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 31636 Compare?

Metric 31636 Valdosta Valdosta, GA Georgia
Home Value $265,779 $136,732 N/A $329,538
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 5.7% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $990 $1,205 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 31636? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 39% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 31636 (Valdosta, GA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.0%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Valdosta, GA metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
54%
Days Pending
2/2
73 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $265,779
Monthly Rent $990
Price-to-Rent 22.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
17.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 31636

Population: 11,184

💰 Median Household Income
$60,280
This area
$60,280
State
$64,001
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.7%
This area
38.7%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
-18.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.2%
This area
19.2%
State
-3.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.1 years
This area
37.1 years
State
10.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.9%
This area
17.9%
State
15.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 70.2%
Other/Mixed 15.1%
Black/African American 14.0%
Hispanic/Latino 10.8%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.0%
This area
16.0%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 31636

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,361 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Lake Park Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
636 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,361 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 1,004 Off-Campus Students
C+
Valdosta State University
10,151 students · 13.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,004 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I live-in-and-rent in Valdosta, GA?

Valdosta, GA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $266K price point reasonable to enter.

Does Valdosta, GA favor landlords or tenants?

For rental operators, Valdosta, GA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Are there empty rentals in Valdosta, GA?

Vacancy risk in Valdosta, GA is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

How much rent can I charge in Valdosta, GA?

Average rent in Valdosta, GA is approximately $990/mo per month. Against $266K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What is the renter demographic in Valdosta, GA?

The renter base in Valdosta, GA is reasonable for the $990/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.

You know 31636 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 31636 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 31636 ranks in Valdosta, GA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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