Real Estate Investing in Mobile, Alabama (36618)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 36618 (Mobile, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Mobile, AL (36618)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 36618 Mobile
The 36618 ZIP in Mobile, AL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $175K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $175K asset, 36618 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
The gap between 36618 and stronger Mobile ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Resident income in 36618 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
The 36618 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Mobile:
Property Strategy for 36618
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $117,731 | $1,190 | 7.3% | +7.3% | $58,865 |
| 3BR | $166,714 | $1,550 | 6.7% | +7.0% | $55,571 |
| 4BR | $226,736 | $1,590 | 5.0% | +6.8% | $56,684 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 36618 Compare?
| Metric | 36618 | Mobile | Mobile, AL | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $175,038 | $85,187 | N/A | $231,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.5% | 3.2% | N/A | 5.6% |
| Avg Rent | $1,450 | $1,283 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 6.5% | 6.6% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 36618 (Mobile, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 36618 (Mobile, AL)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $175,038 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,450 |
| Price-to-Rent | 10.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 9.9% |
| Cap Rate | 6.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.5%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.
⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 36618
Population: 17,438
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 36618
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
Investor Insight: With 1,763 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mobile, AL a good place for real estate investing?
Yes - Mobile, AL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $175K home prices against $1,450/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
How tight is the rental market in Mobile, AL?
Vacancy risk in Mobile, AL is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.
How much is rent in Mobile, AL?
Rents in Mobile, AL run near $1,450/mo. Compared with median home prices of $175K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
What approach is best for Mobile, AL real estate?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Mobile, AL. The numbers - $175K homes against $1,450/mo rents - support that play.
Does Mobile, AL favor landlords or tenants?
Rental owners in Mobile, AL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
You know 36618 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 36618 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 36618 ranks in Mobile, AL
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 36618 (Mobile)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 36618 (Mobile, AL).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.