Real Estate Investing in Montgomery, Alabama (36117)

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

Montgomery County • Population: 52,608 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36117 (Montgomery, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (70/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

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

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: 9.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Montgomery, AL (36117)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $258,993
Avg Monthly Rent $1,427
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,919
% Renters 39.5%

Market Analysis: 36117 Montgomery

ZIP 36117 in Montgomery, AL carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $259K and rents of $1,427/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 36117 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $259K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 36117's metrics run below Montgomery County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 36117 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Montgomery averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 36117 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 Montgomery:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,427/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Montgomery, AL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
59 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.8%
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 Montgomery, AL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 36117

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$71,170/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $147,382 $1,300 6.4% +7.3% $73,691
3BR $213,509 $1,670 5.6% +6.9% $71,170
4BR $324,257 $1,970 4.4% +5.6% $81,064
5BR $480,767 +5.1% $96,153

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$267K$246K$224K$203K$182K$160KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,492$1,372$1,253$1,133$1,014$894Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36117 Compare?

Metric 36117 Montgomery Montgomery, AL Alabama
Home Value $258,993 $46,686 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 3.0% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $1,427 $1,204 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.3% 10.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 36117? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 40% 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 36117 (Montgomery, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Montgomery, AL metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
58%
Days Pending
1/2
59 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $258,993
Monthly Rent $1,427
Price-to-Rent 15.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -2.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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
9.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36117

Population: 52,608

💰 Median Household Income
$73,919
This area
$73,919
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
39.5%
This area
39.5%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
45.5%
This area
45.5%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.1 years
This area
36.1 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 52.0%
White 36.1%
Asian 8.1%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
👶 Under 18
24.6%
This area
24.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.2%
This area
14.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
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 36117

B Avg School Grade
9 Schools
17.0:1 Avg Class Size
$12,933 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Blount Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
B Good

Dozier Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
B Good

Garrett Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
575 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
B Good

Halcyon Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
615 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
B Good

Wares Ferry Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
346 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
B Good

Wilson Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
370 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
B Good

Park Crossing High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
871 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
B Good

Carr Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
725 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,933 Per Student
C Below Average

Kilby Correctional Facility

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
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 3,341 Off-Campus Students
D
Amridge University
636 students · 1.9 mi
C+
Auburn University at Montgomery
5,189 students · 2.0 mi
C
Faulkner University
2,933 students · 4.1 mi
D
South University-Montgomery
319 students · 4.8 mi
D
Fortis College-Montgomery
305 students · 6.2 mi
C
Huntingdon College
869 students · 8.3 mi
C
Alabama State University
3,870 students · 8.8 mi
C
H Councill Trenholm State Community College
1,907 students · 11.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,341 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is vacancy risk in Montgomery, AL?

Vacancy risk in Montgomery, AL is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is rental property easy to operate in Montgomery, AL?

The landlord environment in Montgomery, AL is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Is Montgomery, AL suited for a house hack?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Montgomery, AL reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What is the average monthly rent in Montgomery, AL?

Expect rents around $1,427/mo per month in Montgomery, AL. With home values at $259K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How expensive is real estate in Montgomery, AL?

Median home price in Montgomery, AL is near $259K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

You know 36117 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 36117 ranks in Montgomery, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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