Real Estate Investing in Phenix City, Alabama (36867)

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

Russell County • Population: 22,441 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36867 (Phenix City, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 14.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Phenix City, AL (36867)?

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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 $193,897
Avg Monthly Rent $1,361
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,401
% Renters 54.2%

Market Analysis: 36867 Phenix City

This part of Russell County is not an easy win. The 36867 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 36867 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $194K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within AL, ZIP 36867 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Russell County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 36867 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 36867 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $194K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Phenix City:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,361/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Columbus, GA-AL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
39 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.5%
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 Columbus, GA-AL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 36867

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$53,781/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $107,562 $1,060 7.1% +9.7% $53,781
3BR $212,881 $1,380 4.7% +8.7% $70,960
4BR $328,227 $1,610 3.5% +6.8% $82,057
5BR $404,019 +6.1% $80,804

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$206K$184K$161K$139K$117K$95KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,473$1,403$1,333$1,262$1,192$1,122Feb 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36867 Compare?

Metric 36867 Phenix City Columbus, GA-AL Alabama
Home Value $193,897 $204,674 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.4% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $1,361 $1,451 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.5% 5.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 36867? Click to expand

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

54% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 36867 (Phenix City, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $193,897
Monthly Rent $1,361
Price-to-Rent 11.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.4%
Cap Rate 5.5%
5-Year IRR 10.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +1.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.5%). 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
14.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36867

Population: 22,441

💰 Median Household Income
$46,401
This area
$46,401
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
54.2%
This area
54.2%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.0%
This area
25.0%
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
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 55.8%
Black/African American 34.9%
Other/Mixed 7.0%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Asian 2.2%
👶 Under 18
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.6%
This area
14.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.5%
This area
18.5%
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 36867

C+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
18.6:1 Avg Class Size
$13,713 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Lakewood Primary School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
517 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,713 Per Student
B Good

Phenix City Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
657 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,713 Per Student
B Good

Westview Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
557 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,713 Per Student
B Good

Lakewood Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
470 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,713 Per Student
B Good

Sherwood Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
537 Students
👨‍🏫
19.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,713 Per Student
C+ Average

Phenix City Intermediate School

📚 06 – 07 Middle
👥
1,057 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,713 Per Student
C Below Average

Success Academy

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$13,713 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

5 Nearby 2,247 Off-Campus Students
C
Columbus Technical College
3,153 students · 2.7 mi
C+
Columbus State University
7,610 students · 4.8 mi
C
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
1,712 students · 5.2 mi
D
Rivertown School of Beauty Barber Skin Care and Nails
124 students · 5.2 mi
D
Miller-Motte College-Columbus
270 students · 5.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,247 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phenix City, AL landlord-friendly?

AL law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Phenix City inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is Phenix City in AL worth investing in?

Our data puts Phenix City, AL at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $194K and rents around $1,361/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

What are home prices like in Phenix City, AL?

The median home value in Phenix City, AL is roughly $194K. That puts it reasonable relative to the AL statewide average.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Phenix City, AL?

For house hackers, Phenix City, AL is a challenging. The $1,361/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $194K property.

Are renters plentiful in Phenix City, AL?

Working renters make up the core of the Phenix City, AL tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 36867 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 36867 ranks in Columbus, GA-AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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