Real Estate Investing in Russellville, Alabama (35654)

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

Franklin County • Population: 8,396 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35654 (Russellville, AL)? 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: 15.9% 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 Russellville, AL (35654)?

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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 $191,523
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $43,327
% Renters 30.9%

Market Analysis: 35654 Russellville

This part of Franklin County is not an easy win. The 35654 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 35654 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $192K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Regionally, 35654 sits on the difficult end of the AL spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The demographic picture in 35654 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Russellville averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 35654 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Russellville:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/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
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
91 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.8%
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 Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$200K$179K$157K$136K$115K$94KMay 2014Jun 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35654 Compare?

Metric 35654 Russellville Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Alabama
Home Value $191,523 $182,898 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.6% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $792 $792 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 35654? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 35654 (Russellville, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $191,523
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 20.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
15.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35654

Population: 8,396

💰 Median Household Income
$43,327
This area
$43,327
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.9%
This area
30.9%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.8 years
This area
38.8 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.9%
This area
15.9%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.6%
Other/Mixed 15.2%
Hispanic/Latino 14.0%
Black/African American 2.8%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.2%
This area
17.2%
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 35654

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
16.9:1 Avg Class Size
$14,043 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Tharptown Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
548 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,043 Per Student
B Good

Tharptown High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
402 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,043 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do home prices stand in Russellville, AL?

Russellville, AL median home values land near $192K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $792/mo-per-month rentals.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Russellville, AL?

Expect elevated vacancy in Russellville, AL. Rents at $792/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

How does Russellville, AL stack up for property investment?

Yes - Russellville, AL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $192K home prices against $792/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Does house hacking make sense in Russellville, AL?

House hacking works a challenging in Russellville, AL. Rents of $792/mo against $192K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Russellville, AL?

Tenant demand in Russellville, AL is solid. The local workforce $792/mo rents across most rental classes.

You know 35654 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35654 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 35654 ranks in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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