Real Estate Investing in Marion, Alabama (36756)

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

Perry County • Population: 5,483 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36756 (Marion, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (46/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 18.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.6% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 26.7% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $37,758 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Marion, AL (36756)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $139,278
Avg Monthly Rent $927
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $37,758
% Renters 32.7%

Market Analysis: 36756 Marion

ZIP 36756 inside Perry County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $139K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 36756 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $139K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 36756's metrics run below Perry County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 36756 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

seems to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Marion:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.4%)
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)

$166K$153K$140K$127K$114K$101KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36756 Compare?

Metric 36756 Marion Alabama
Home Value $139,278 $139,278 $231,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $927 $927 -
Cap Rate 5.2% 5.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 36756? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 36756 (Marion, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
-1.6%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $139,278
Monthly Rent $927
Price-to-Rent 12.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.0%
Cap Rate 5.2%
5-Year IRR 3.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR -3.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.6% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.2%). 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
18.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36756

Population: 5,483

💰 Median Household Income
$37,758
This area
$37,758
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.7%
This area
32.7%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.1%
This area
16.1%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.9 years
This area
34.9 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.7%
This area
18.7%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 63.8%
White 35.3%
Other/Mixed 0.8%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
26.7%
This area
26.7%
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 36756

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
17.2:1 Avg Class Size
$19,002 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Breakthrough Charter School

📚 Pre-K – 10 High School Charter
👥
339 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,848 Per Student
A Very Good

Francis Marion School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
464 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,155 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
C
Marion Military Institute
308 students · 5.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Marion, AL?

For house hackers, Marion, AL is a challenging. The $927/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $139K property.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Marion, AL?

Marion, AL draws a stable base of working renters. Demand at the $927/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What is the typical home price in Marion, AL?

Marion, AL median home values land near $139K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $927/mo-per-month rentals.

Is Marion, AL a friendly market for rental owners?

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

Where do rents currently stand in Marion, AL?

Marion, AL rentals go for roughly $927/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $139K acquisition costs.

You know 36756 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 36756 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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