Real Estate Investing in Pelham, Alabama (35124)

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

Shelby County • Population: 24,871 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35124 (Pelham, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Pelham, AL (35124)?

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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 $354,096
Avg Monthly Rent $1,753
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $91,836
% Renters 15.8%

Market Analysis: 35124 Pelham

The 35124 ZIP covers a section of Pelham that demands careful diligence. Prices near $354K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 35124 posts the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Pelham have seen price recovery that 35124 has not matched. Shelby County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 35124 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Pelham averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 35124, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Pelham:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,753/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.3%
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 Birmingham-Hoover, AL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 35124

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$97,513/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $212,936 $1,610 5.4% +7.8% $106,468
3BR $292,540 $2,010 4.9% +6.8% $97,513
4BR $446,634 $2,290 3.7% +6.6% $111,659
5BR $585,388 +6.9% $117,078

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$368K$328K$287K$247K$207K$166KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,780$1,700$1,621$1,541$1,461$1,381Jan 2023Oct 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35124 Compare?

Metric 35124 Pelham Birmingham-Hoover, AL Alabama
Home Value $354,096 $354,096 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 4.2% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $1,753 $1,753 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 35124? 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 35124 (Pelham, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $354,096
Monthly Rent $1,753
Price-to-Rent 16.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +3.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
3.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35124

Population: 24,871

💰 Median Household Income
$91,836
This area
$91,836
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.8%
This area
15.8%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.9%
This area
47.9%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.3 years
This area
41.3 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.9%
Black/African American 11.0%
Other/Mixed 9.4%
Hispanic/Latino 7.1%
Asian 3.8%
👶 Under 18
22.4%
This area
22.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.7%
This area
17.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
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 35124

B Avg School Grade
7 Schools
13.9:1 Avg Class Size
$14,129 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Pelham Oaks

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
734 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,272 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pelham Ridge

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
781 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,272 Per Student
B Good

Pelham High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,100 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,272 Per Student
B Good

Pelham Park Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
833 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,272 Per Student
B Good

Linda Nolen Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
71 Students
👨‍🏫
5.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,606 Per Student
C Below Average

STAR Program Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Limited Data
💰
$12,606 Per Student
C Below Average

STAR Program Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle Limited Data
💰
$12,606 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

8 Nearby 633 Off-Campus Students
D
Winonah's International School of Cosmetology
110 students · 4.5 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham
128 students · 5.8 mi
C+
Samford University
5,791 students · 10.5 mi
D
Fortis Institute-Birmingham
339 students · 10.7 mi
D
Herzing University-Birmingham
448 students · 11.4 mi
C+
Lawson State Community College
3,153 students · 12.0 mi
C
Brown Beauty Barber School
54 students · 12.5 mi
D
Midfield Institute of Cosmetology
13 students · 13.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 633 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tenant pool like in Pelham, AL?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Pelham, AL. The rental market absorbs $1,753/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Pelham in AL worth investing in?

Our data puts Pelham, AL at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $354K and rents around $1,753/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Pelham, AL?

AL law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Pelham inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

How much rent can I charge in Pelham, AL?

Rents in Pelham, AL run near $1,753/mo. Compared with median home prices of $354K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Does house hacking work in Pelham, AL?

House hacking works a challenging in Pelham, AL. Rents of $1,753/mo against $354K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 35124 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 35124 ranks in Birmingham-Hoover, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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