Real Estate Investing in Columbia, Alabama (36319)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 36319 (Columbia, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 16.6% 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 Columbia, AL (36319)?
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Market Analysis: 36319 Columbia
ZIP 36319 in Columbia, AL carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $170K and rents of $801/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
The investment case in 36319 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $170K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Within AL, ZIP 36319 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Henry County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.
Resident income in 36319 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategically, 36319 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Columbia:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 36319 Compare?
| Metric | 36319 | Columbia | Dothan, AL | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $169,612 | $169,612 | N/A | $231,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.9% | 3.9% | N/A | 5.6% |
| Avg Rent | $801 | $801 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% | 3.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 36319 (Columbia, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $169,612 |
| Monthly Rent | $801 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.7% |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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.
Demographics in 36319
Population: 2,406
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 36319
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do home prices stand in Columbia, AL?
Columbia, AL home values average about $170K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $801/mo in monthly income.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Columbia, AL?
Vacancy in Columbia, AL is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $801/mo.
What is the tenant pool like in Columbia, AL?
The tenant pool in Columbia, AL is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $801/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
How landlord-friendly is Columbia, AL?
Landlord-friendliness in Columbia, AL is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
What approach is best for Columbia, AL real estate?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Columbia, AL. The numbers - $170K homes against $801/mo rents - support that play.
You know 36319 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 36319 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.
How 36319 ranks in Dothan, AL
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