Lee County, Alabama Housing Market
In Lee County, Alabama, the median home value is $262,200, with a median monthly rent of $1,058. This places Lee County at #828 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #5 within Alabama.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $967
- Establishments: 4,475
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 1,551
- Multi-family: 24
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 59,910 (avg $84,083)
- Outflow: 55,047 (avg $84,567)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 7 active ZIP codes in Lee County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36804 | 229.4 | -1.88% | 2025 |
| 2 | 36867 | 205.0 | -2.84% | 2025 |
| 3 | 36877 | 217.5 | +14.21% | 2025 |
| 4 | 36832 | 242.7 | +6.69% | 2025 |
| 5 | 36830 | 260.7 | +4.70% | 2025 |
| 6 | 36870 | 204.4 | -2.07% | 2025 |
| 7 | 36874 | 241.4 | +1.04% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
📝 Local Market Notes
Lee County, Alabama, operates as a buyer’s market characterized by strong price appreciation outpacing rental growth. The price-to-rent ratio stands at 20.7, significantly above the national average of 18.7, suggesting that purchasing offers better long-term value than renting. However, this advantage is tempered by affordability constraints; the price-to-income ratio of 3.98 exceeds the national benchmark of 3.20, indicating that home prices have risen faster than local median household income of $65,824. While the rent burden of 19.3% is only marginally higher than the national average of 17.2%, the purchase side presents a steeper financial hurdle for median-income households. The multi-year trend reveals a dramatic acceleration in home values, with year-over-year growth spiking from 2.6% in 2020 to a peak of 20.3% in 2022 before moderating to 9.8% in 2024. Recent FHFA data confirms continued momentum, showing a 4.73% year-over-year increase in 2025, which outpaces the state average of 2.79% by 1.94 percentage points. This sustained appreciation has positioned Lee County home values 64.2% above the state average and 15.1% above the national mean, despite local income levels lagging the national average by 3.2%. A notable pattern is the divergence between asset values and local economic fundamentals, where home prices have surged significantly while median income remains relatively flat. Local economic drivers support this upward trajectory. Net migration of 4,863 filers between 2021 and 2022 injected demand, with incoming residents earning an average of $84,083, well above the county median. Housing supply remains tight, with 1,575 new units authorized in 2025, predominantly single-family homes, which may not be sufficient to cool prices rapidly. With 50,806 total jobs and an average weekly wage of $967, the labor market provides stability, yet the 7.40% national mortgage rate increases monthly payment burdens. Potential buyers face a market where values are rising faster than rents, but high interest rates and elevated price-to-income ratios limit immediate affordability for median earners. Renters, meanwhile, face a slightly higher cost burden than the national norm, making the transition to homeownership financially complex despite the favorable price-to-rent dynamic.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Lee County Compares
| Metric | Lee County | Alabama Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $262,200 | $159,659 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,058 | $820 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 66.3% | 73.2% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 20.7 | 16.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Lee County is 64.2% above the Alabama state average and 15.1% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,058/month is 29.0% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 20.7, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Lee County has an owner-occupancy rate of 66.3%, compared to 73.2% in Alabama and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bexar County | Texas | $262,200 | $1,354 |
| Polk County | Iowa | $262,100 | $1,149 |
| Dorchester County | Maryland | $262,400 | $1,032 |
| Bradley County | Tennessee | $261,900 | $1,030 |
| Hartley County | Texas | $262,500 | $1,028 |
Other Counties in Alabama
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa County | $248,700 | $1,037 | 61.4% |
| Limestone County | $281,000 | $970 | 77.6% |
| Jefferson County | $240,000 | $1,193 | 63.9% |
| St. Clair County | $226,300 | $1,084 | 82.6% |
| Madison County | $299,200 | $1,209 | 68.3% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).