2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Alabama — 2026

Last updated: June 4, 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 28/100
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 35020 Bessemer AL 61/100 66/100
4 36446 Fulton AL 61/100 86/100
5 36602 Mobile AL 61/100 81/100
6 36607 Mobile AL 61/100 76/100
7 36605 Mobile AL 59/100 71/100
8 36610 Mobile AL 59/100 76/100
9 36611 Mobile AL 59/100 76/100
10 35234 Birmingham AL 58/100 71/100
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 35769 Scottsboro AL 52/100 50/100
17 36509 Bayou La Batre AL 52/100 75/100
18 35036 Brookside AL 51/100 78/100
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 35161 Talladega AL 50/100 65/100
24 35221 Birmingham AL 50/100 71/100
25 35660 Sheffield AL 50/100 57/100
26 36340 Geneva AL 50/100 83/100
27 36530 Elberta AL 50/100 76/100
28 36604 Mobile AL 50/100 81/100
29 35160 Talladega AL 49/100 64/100
30 35207 Birmingham AL 49/100 76/100
31 35563 Guin AL 49/100 67/100
32 35981 Ider AL 49/100 56/100
33 36053 Midway AL 49/100 80/100
34 35023 Bessemer AL 48/100 71/100
35 35570 Hamilton AL 48/100 70/100
36 35772 Stevenson AL 48/100 61/100
37 36612 Mobile AL 48/100 86/100
38 35206 Birmingham AL 47/100 71/100
39 35222 Birmingham AL 47/100 76/100
40 36512 Bucks AL 47/100 73/100
41 36608 Mobile AL 47/100 76/100
42 35072 Goodwater AL 46/100 61/100
43 35217 Birmingham AL 46/100 71/100
44 35218 Birmingham AL 46/100 71/100
45 35441 Akron AL 46/100 73/100
46 35573 Kansas AL 46/100 78/100
47 36003 Autaugaville AL 46/100 76/100
48 36701 Selma AL 46/100 64/100
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 35021 Bessemer AL 44/100 81/100
58 35213 Birmingham AL 44/100 66/100
59 35223 Birmingham AL 44/100 71/100
60 35401 Tuscaloosa AL 44/100 71/100
61 35447 Carrollton AL 44/100 72/100
62 36104 Montgomery AL 44/100 77/100
63 36319 Columbia AL 44/100 85/100
64 36571 Saraland AL 44/100 76/100
65 36784 Thomasville AL 44/100 83/100
66 36869 Phenix City AL 44/100 77/100
67 35130 Quinton AL 43/100 76/100
68 35203 Birmingham AL 43/100 76/100
69 35228 Birmingham AL 43/100 71/100
70 36203 Oxford AL 43/100 61/100
71 36320 Cottonwood AL 43/100 91/100
72 36572 Satsuma AL 43/100 82/100
73 36580 Summerdale AL 43/100 72/100
74 36582 Theodore AL 43/100 80/100
75 36609 Mobile AL 43/100 76/100
76 36663 Mobile AL 43/100 94/100
77 36867 Phenix City AL 43/100 77/100
78 35210 Birmingham AL 42/100 76/100
79 35462 Eutaw AL 42/100 76/100
80 35481 Reform AL 42/100 68/100
81 35501 Jasper AL 42/100 81/100
82 35616 Cherokee AL 42/100 69/100
83 36017 Clio AL 42/100 75/100
84 36048 Louisville AL 42/100 73/100
85 36344 Hartford AL 42/100 83/100
86 36528 Dauphin Island AL 42/100 73/100
87 35208 Birmingham AL 41/100 76/100
88 35209 Birmingham AL 41/100 71/100
89 35630 Florence AL 41/100 63/100
90 35816 Huntsville AL 41/100 65/100
91 35987 Steele AL 41/100 78/100
92 36532 Fairhope AL 41/100 73/100
93 36547 Gulf Shores AL 41/100 80/100
94 36548 Leroy AL 41/100 94/100
95 36561 Orange Beach AL 41/100 72/100
96 36868 Phenix City AL 41/100 82/100
97 35149 Sycamore AL 40/100 66/100
98 35212 Birmingham AL 40/100 76/100
99 35215 Birmingham AL 40/100 66/100
100 35216 Birmingham AL 40/100 71/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. 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: 2026-06-04.

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 pipe infrastructure and EPA 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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