Real Estate Investing in Gadsden, Alabama (35901)

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

Etowah County • Population: 19,186 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35901 (Gadsden, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 20.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Gadsden, AL (35901)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $162,917
Avg Monthly Rent $850
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $43,638
% Renters 36.5%

Market Analysis: 35901 Gadsden

ZIP 35901 in Gadsden, AL carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $163K and rents of $850/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 35901 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $163K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Turning to rents, 35901 offers a low basis, the region around Gadsden has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

On balance, 19,186 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 35901 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Gadsden:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $850/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Gadsden, AL Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.2%
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 Gadsden, AL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 35901

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$50,488/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $100,977 $900 6.4% +11.1% $50,488
3BR $205,631 $1,090 3.8% +8.6% $68,544
4BR $338,595 $1,270 2.7% +7.6% $84,649
5BR $465,983 +8.4% $93,197

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$172K$153K$134K$115K$96K$77KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 35901 Compare?

Metric 35901 Gadsden Gadsden, AL Alabama
Home Value $162,917 $93,678 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 3.1% 4.1% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $850 $800 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 35901? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 37% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 35901 (Gadsden, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.1%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Gadsden, AL metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
71%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $162,917
Monthly Rent $850
Price-to-Rent 16.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
20.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35901

Population: 19,186

💰 Median Household Income
$43,638
This area
$43,638
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.5%
This area
36.5%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.8%
This area
23.8%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.1 years
This area
41.1 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.1%
This area
20.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 57.7%
Black/African American 30.0%
Other/Mixed 12.1%
Hispanic/Latino 7.5%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.5%
This area
18.5%
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 35901

B Avg School Grade
10 Schools
17.3:1 Avg Class Size
$14,135 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Eura Brown Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
350 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,820 Per Student
B+ Above Average

W E Striplin Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
407 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,820 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Mitchell Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,820 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Thompson Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
249 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,820 Per Student
B Good

Gadsden Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
467 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,820 Per Student
B Good

Gaston Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
284 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,538 Per Student
B Good

Gaston High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
362 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,538 Per Student
C Below Average

Gadsden City Alternative School

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$14,820 Per Student
C Below Average

Therapeutic Academic Program

📚 01 – 05 Elementary Limited Data
💰
$14,820 Per Student
C Below Average

Etowah County Special Education Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$12,538 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 2,014 Off-Campus Students
C+
Gadsden State Community College
4,728 students · 5.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,014 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do rents currently stand in Gadsden, AL?

The typical rental in Gadsden, AL commands about $850/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $163K purchase basis.

What is the tenant pool like in Gadsden, AL?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Gadsden, AL. The rental market absorbs $850/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is real estate in Gadsden, AL a good investment right now?

Gadsden, AL scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $163K and rents near $850/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What is the smart move for investors in Gadsden, AL?

Most investors in Gadsden, AL run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How tight is the rental market in Gadsden, AL?

Gadsden, AL carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect stable absorption at market rents of $850/mo.

You know 35901 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35901 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 35901 ranks in Gadsden, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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