Real Estate Investing in Gallion, Alabama (36742)

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

Marengo • Population: 2,841 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36742 (Gallion, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (39/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 21.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.4% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Gallion, AL (36742)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $191,179
Avg Monthly Rent $927
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $43,232
% Renters 17.8%

Market Analysis: 36742 Gallion

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Gallion's 36742 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $191K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 36742 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 36742 and stronger Gallion ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Resident income in 36742 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 36742 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.

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 Gallion:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 50/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $927/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$223K$210K$197K$184K$170K$157KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36742 Compare?

Metric 36742 Gallion Alabama
Home Value $191,179 $191,179 $231,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $927 $927 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 36742 (Gallion, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
-1.4%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $191,179
Monthly Rent $927
Price-to-Rent 17.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 2.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR -4.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.4% ▼
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
21.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36742

Population: 2,841

💰 Median Household Income
$43,232
This area
$43,232
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.4%
This area
0.4%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.5 years
This area
33.5 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.0%
This area
21.0%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 48.2%
White 41.3%
Other/Mixed 10.5%
Hispanic/Latino 6.6%
👶 Under 18
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.0%
This area
14.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What do landlords charge for rent in Gallion, AL?

Rent in Gallion, AL is around $927/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $191K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What is the tenant pool like in Gallion, AL?

The tenant pool in Gallion, AL is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $927/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Are landlord laws favorable in Gallion, AL?

Rental owners in Gallion, AL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Is Gallion in AL worth investing in?

Our data puts Gallion, AL at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $191K and rents around $927/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Is Gallion, AL better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Gallion, AL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($191K prices, $927/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 36742 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 36742 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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