2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Alabama — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

819 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 36323 (Elba, AL) - 68/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 819 ZIP codes with data in Alabama, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Alabama Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 819
Highest value 68/100
Median value 29/100
State Alabama

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 36323 Elba AL 68/100 69/100
2 36603 Mobile AL 62/100 76/100
3 36607 Mobile AL 62/100 76/100
4 35020 Bessemer AL 61/100 66/100
5 36446 Fulton AL 61/100 86/100
6 36602 Mobile AL 61/100 81/100
7 35234 Birmingham AL 59/100 71/100
8 36605 Mobile AL 59/100 71/100
9 36610 Mobile AL 59/100 76/100
10 36611 Mobile AL 59/100 76/100
11 35768 Scottsboro AL 58/100 45/100
12 36617 Mobile AL 55/100 76/100
13 36619 Mobile AL 54/100 76/100
14 36426 Brewton AL 53/100 72/100
15 36606 Mobile AL 53/100 76/100
16 35036 Brookside AL 52/100 78/100
17 35769 Scottsboro AL 52/100 50/100
18 36509 Bayou La Batre AL 52/100 75/100
19 35204 Birmingham AL 51/100 71/100
20 36267 Millerville AL 51/100 65/100
21 36693 Mobile AL 51/100 76/100
22 36908 Gilbertown AL 51/100 70/100
23 35207 Birmingham AL 50/100 76/100
24 35221 Birmingham AL 50/100 71/100
25 35660 Sheffield AL 50/100 57/100
26 35981 Ider AL 50/100 56/100
27 36053 Midway AL 50/100 80/100
28 36340 Geneva AL 50/100 83/100
29 36530 Elberta AL 50/100 76/100
30 36604 Mobile AL 50/100 81/100
31 35160 Talladega AL 49/100 64/100
32 35563 Guin AL 49/100 67/100
33 35023 Bessemer AL 48/100 71/100
34 35206 Birmingham AL 48/100 71/100
35 35222 Birmingham AL 48/100 76/100
36 35570 Hamilton AL 48/100 70/100
37 35772 Stevenson AL 48/100 61/100
38 36612 Mobile AL 48/100 86/100
39 35218 Birmingham AL 47/100 71/100
40 36608 Mobile AL 47/100 76/100
41 35072 Goodwater AL 46/100 61/100
42 35217 Birmingham AL 46/100 71/100
43 35441 Akron AL 46/100 73/100
44 36003 Autaugaville AL 46/100 76/100
45 36701 Selma AL 46/100 64/100
46 35213 Birmingham AL 45/100 66/100
47 35223 Birmingham AL 45/100 71/100
48 35401 Tuscaloosa AL 45/100 71/100
49 35601 Decatur AL 45/100 57/100
50 35646 Leighton AL 45/100 65/100
51 36322 Daleville AL 45/100 79/100
52 36436 Dickinson AL 45/100 73/100
53 36703 Selma AL 45/100 64/100
54 36740 Forkland AL 45/100 73/100
55 36782 Sweet Water AL 45/100 87/100
56 36904 Butler AL 45/100 88/100
57 35203 Birmingham AL 44/100 76/100
58 35228 Birmingham AL 44/100 71/100
59 35447 Carrollton AL 44/100 72/100
60 36104 Montgomery AL 44/100 77/100
61 36319 Columbia AL 44/100 85/100
62 36571 Saraland AL 44/100 76/100
63 36784 Thomasville AL 44/100 83/100
64 36867 Phenix City AL 44/100 77/100
65 36869 Phenix City AL 44/100 77/100
66 35130 Quinton AL 43/100 76/100
67 35210 Birmingham AL 43/100 76/100
68 35481 Reform AL 43/100 68/100
69 36203 Oxford AL 43/100 61/100
70 36320 Cottonwood AL 43/100 91/100
71 36572 Satsuma AL 43/100 82/100
72 36580 Summerdale AL 43/100 72/100
73 36582 Theodore AL 43/100 80/100
74 36609 Mobile AL 43/100 76/100
75 36663 Mobile AL 43/100 94/100
76 35208 Birmingham AL 42/100 76/100
77 35462 Eutaw AL 42/100 76/100
78 35501 Jasper AL 42/100 81/100
79 35616 Cherokee AL 42/100 69/100
80 35816 Huntsville AL 42/100 65/100
81 35987 Steele AL 42/100 78/100
82 36017 Clio AL 42/100 75/100
83 36048 Louisville AL 42/100 73/100
84 36344 Hartford AL 42/100 83/100
85 36528 Dauphin Island AL 42/100 73/100
86 35209 Birmingham AL 41/100 71/100
87 35215 Birmingham AL 41/100 66/100
88 35216 Birmingham AL 41/100 71/100
89 35630 Florence AL 41/100 63/100
90 36031 Fort Davis AL 41/100 63/100
91 36532 Fairhope AL 41/100 73/100
92 36548 Leroy AL 41/100 94/100
93 36561 Orange Beach AL 41/100 72/100
94 35032 Bon Air AL 40/100 40/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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