Real Estate Investing in Cleveland, Alabama (35049)

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

Blount • Population: 4,334 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35049 (Cleveland, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Cleveland, AL (35049)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $229,560
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,879
% Renters 28.8%

Market Analysis: 35049 Cleveland

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Cleveland's 35049 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $230K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $230K asset, 35049 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader AL picture, 35049 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 35049 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Cleveland averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 35049 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Cleveland:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$239K$211K$184K$156K$128K$100KApr 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35049 Compare?

Metric 35049 Cleveland Alabama
Home Value $229,560 $229,560 $231,003
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.9% 5.6%
Avg Rent $918 $918 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 35049? Click to expand

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

📊 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 35049 (Cleveland, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $229,560
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 20.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 6.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35049

Population: 4,334

💰 Median Household Income
$52,879
This area
$52,879
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.8%
This area
28.8%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.6 years
This area
37.6 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.6%
Other/Mixed 9.6%
Hispanic/Latino 7.4%
Black/African American 0.7%
👶 Under 18
24.2%
This area
24.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
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 35049

C+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
17.5:1 Avg Class Size
$12,601 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Cleveland Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
513 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,601 Per Student
B Good

Cleveland High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
363 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,601 Per Student
C+ Average

Blount County Career Technical Center

📚 10 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$12,601 Per Student
C Below Average

Blount County Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$12,601 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 1,108 Off-Campus Students
C+
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
6,023 students · 13.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,108 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the investability score for Cleveland, AL?

Yes - Cleveland, AL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $230K home prices against $918/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Are there empty rentals in Cleveland, AL?

Cleveland, AL sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader AL rental market.

What is the typical rental rate in Cleveland, AL?

The typical rental in Cleveland, AL commands about $918/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $230K purchase basis.

Is house hacking profitable in Cleveland, AL?

House hacking works a challenging in Cleveland, AL. Rents of $918/mo against $230K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Does Cleveland, AL favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Cleveland, AL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 35049 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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