Birmingham
Investment Analysis

Birmingham, AL
Housing Market Screening

City-level home-price and one-bedroom-rent references with transparent methodology and limitations.

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City-level screening

17.1x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
5.9%
Recorded YoY field
-3.1%

Not cap rate, ROI, valuation or buy-versus-rent advice. City fields may reflect different source years.

Median Home Price
$227,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,109/mo
Median Income
$44,951
Population
196,518

Housing Screening Context

Birmingham has a computed screening multiple of 17.1x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 5.9%.

These values compare separate city-level fields, not one matched property. They exclude financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, transaction costs and tenure horizon.

Recorded year-over-year price change: -3.1%. Source period and forecast assumptions should be reviewed before scenario use.

Read the transparent methodology or open the Housing Research Hub.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,109
Annual Gross $13,308

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$284
Insurance (~0.5%) -$95
Maintenance (~1%) -$189
Est. Net Cash Flow $542/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Birmingham Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
โžก๏ธ Stable
PROJECTEDNOW$138K2027$137Kโ–ผ 0.5%2028$134Kโ–ผ 2.8%20232024Now
$164K$127K
Current
$227K
2026
Projected
$137K
โ†“ 0.5% by 2027
Projected
$134K
โ†“ 2.8% by 2028
5yr CAGR:-0.5%
Confidence:Low
Rยฒ:0.41
โ–ผ

For those evaluating a Birmingham housing market forecast through 2028, the current data paints a picture of stability and value rather than explosive growth. The median home price sits at $133,464, a figure that remains deeply affordable compared to national benchmarks. While the recent YoY price change of -2.7% might raise eyebrows, it actually signals a welcome cooling from pandemic-era highs, allowing fundamentals to reassert themselves. This moderation, combined with a price-to-rent ratio of just 9.4x (well below the national average of 18x), underscores why the buy/rent verdict remains a strong BUY for investors and owner-occupants alike. The market temperature of 61/100 suggests balanced conditions, avoiding the frenetic bidding wars seen in hotter markets.

When asking will Birmingham home prices drop significantly, the underlying economic supports suggest limited downside risk. The cityโ€™s 5-year price change of 12.6% and a CAGR of 2.4% indicate steady, sustainable appreciation rather than a volatile bubble poised to burst. Key local factors bolster this outlook: Birmingham continues to benefit from its role as a regional medical and financial hub, with ongoing investments in downtown revitalization and the adjacent innovation district. Affordability remains a key draw, attracting both young professionals and remote workers priced out of larger metros. The 48 days on market provides buyers with reasonable time to make decisions, while the A risk grade reflects a fundamentally sound market. For Birmingham real estate Birmingham 2027 and beyond, expect continued steady demand supported by economic anchors like UAB and a favorable cost of living.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
6.0%
5yr CAGR
-0.5%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.1%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +1.8%

Healthcare

72
Score
Good

Risk Factors

High Crime Area
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 96.0%
Months Supply 5.4
Price Drops 25%
Gone in 2 Wks 29%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Birmingham.

Total ROI
-79%
on $45,400 invested
Annual ROI
-26.9%
compounded
Total Return
-$35,949
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$698
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y147kY249kY351kY454kY556k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$35,949
Final Equity
$56,042

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Scenario Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Cash-Flow Scenario

Pre-filled for Birmingham

Property

Purchase Price$227,000
Monthly Rent$1,109
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$635
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$7,625/ year
-16.8%
Cash-on-Cash
2.7%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,109
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,148
โˆ’ Property Tax$227
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$189
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$55
= Net Cash Flow-$635

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$45,400
Loan Amount
$181,600
Total Monthly Expenses
$1,744
Gross Yield
5.9%

Investor Toolkit

Research Birmingham before you invest

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: July 2026