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City · 38,499 residents · Russell County, Alabama

Phenix City , Alabama

In Phenix City, a typical home is worth $170,300 and typical rent is $967 a month. Compared with all of Russell County, the share of households that own their home is 9 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $170,300

    3% above the county

    19% below Alabama

    • Phenix City
    • Russell
    • Alabama

  • Typical rent

    $967a month

    3% above the county

    4% below Alabama

    • Phenix City
    • Russell
    • Alabama

  • Typical household income

    $50,053a year

    2% below the county

    22% below Alabama

    • Phenix City
    • Russell
    • Alabama

  • Households that own their home

    52%

    9 points below the county

    18 points below Alabama

    • Phenix City
    • Russell
    • Alabama

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$212,365
5.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,312 a month
5.7% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Phenix City is in Russell County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Russell County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Phenix City apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Lanett, the typical home value is $95,600: 44% less than in Phenix City ($170,300).

  2. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Phenix City rose 5.5%; in Alabama, it rose 1.9%.

  3. 52% of households in Phenix City own their home, against 61% in Russell County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Phenix City

What homes there are in Phenix City, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is the most common home in Phenix City: 67% of homes, near the figure in Russell County (65%).

Year built

By age, homes in Phenix City look like those in Russell County: the typical year built is 1984.

In Phenix City, 62% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in Russell County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The FHA limit for Russell County is high ($541,287): at least 96% of owner-occupied homes in Phenix City are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Russell County is $1,212; about 68% of rents in Phenix City are below it.

With a mortgage

$1,315 a month

Russell County: $1,356 a month

Without a mortgage

$404 a month

Russell County: $368 a month

Owners with a mortgage

56%

Russell County: 50%

In Phenix City, 56% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,315 a month, about the same as in Russell County.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Phenix City rose 32% since 2015–2019, less than in Russell County (36%).

The typical rent in Phenix City rose 16% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Russell County (17%).

To compare: typical income in Phenix City rose 19%; the home, +32%; the rent, +16%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasurePhenix CityRussell CountyAlabamaUnited States
Rental vacancy 8.7%8.6%7.2%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.5%1.7%3.4%
People per household 2.412.442.482.53
Drive alone 77%79%81%69%
Carpool 9%8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Work from home 11%9%9%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Russell County, the rental vacancy rate in Phenix City is 8.7%.

Much as in Russell County, a household in Phenix City has 2.41 people on average.

In Phenix City, 77% of workers drive alone to work; in Russell County, 79%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Phenix City?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Phenix City, worth $170,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 32% of the typical household income in Phenix City, which is $50,053 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $57,919 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Russell County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Phenix City. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,961 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,352

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$167,215
Total interest
$240,583
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,876 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,168 a month

  • Tight

    $1,168 to $1,502 a month

    Your payment · 32%

  • Hard

    more than $1,502 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Phenix City ($50,053 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,352
Principal & interest$1,133
Property tax$72
Home insurance$71
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$75

You need at least $5,961 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Phenix City and Russell County

Phenix City is in Russell County, Alabama. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Phenix City's own numbers

Typical home value
$170,300
Typical monthly rent
$967
Typical yearly household income
$50,053
Households that own their home
52%
Effective property tax rate
0.51%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Russell County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,212
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+50%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.3%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Russell County.

Everything about Russell County

Buying

Buying a home in Phenix City

A typical home in Phenix City is worth $170,300: 3% above the county and 19% below Alabama. With the typical household income in Phenix City ($50,053 a year), a typical home costs 3.4 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Phenix City 3.4 years
  • Russell 3.2 years
  • Alabama 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Russell County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Russell County rose 67% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Russell County.

Period County Alabama U.S.
Last year (2025) −3.6% +2.5% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +50% +47% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +67% +77% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Phenix City next to Russell County, Alabama and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Phenix City $170,300
  • Russell $165,700
  • Alabama $209,900
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Phenix City $967
  • Russell $939
  • Alabama $1,007
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Phenix City $50,053
  • Russell $51,197
  • Alabama $63,999
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Phenix City next to Russell County and Alabama
Measure Phenix City Russell County Alabama U.S.
Typical home value $170,300 $165,700 $209,900 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $967 $939 $1,007 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $50,053 $51,197 $63,999 $80,734
Households that own their home 52% 61% 70% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $873 $629 $788 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.51% 0.38% 0.38% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 56% 54% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Russell County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Phenix City

For a typical $170,300 home in Phenix City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Phenix City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,351a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,961
    Cash to close
    $11,070
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $75

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,320a month

    Down payment
    $8,515
    Cash to close
    $13,624
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $81

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,066a month

    Down payment
    $34,060
    Cash to close
    $39,169
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,224a month

    Down payment
    $25,545
    Cash to close
    $30,654
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Phenix City and for Russell County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Phenix City

0.51%of the home’s value each year

$873 a year for the typical owner in Phenix City.

  • Phenix City 0.51%
  • Russell 0.38%
  • Alabama 0.38%

What Alabama publishes Basic homestead exemption (type H-1) (Alabama Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Alabama

Flood risk in Russell County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Russell County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.3%
257
Of those, with NFIP insurance
13%
County Alabama U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.3% 3.2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 13% 29% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Phenix City

Typical rent in Phenix City is $967 a month: 3% above the county. In Phenix City, 56% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Russell County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,212 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $23.31 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Russell County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,026 $19.73 $41,040
1 bedroom $1,053 $20.25 $42,120
2 bedrooms $1,212 $23.31 $48,480
3 bedrooms $1,611 $30.98 $64,440
4 bedrooms $1,876 $36.08 $75,040

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Phenix City

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Phenix City has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,050 in 36869 to $1,150 in 36867.

None is above the fair market rent for Russell County ($1,212).

  • 36867 $1,150$1,490
  • 36869 $1,050$1,400

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Phenix City when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Phenix City

HUD lists 14 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Phenix City. These are the largest.

  • Douglas 300A Fred Douglas Apts, Phenix City 36867 223 homes, 216 low-income · Run by Phenix City Housing Authority · Average payment: $322 a month · Average wait: 7 months (334) 664-9991
  • Riverview 201A Riverview Apts, Phenix City 36867 216 homes, 202 low-income · Run by Phenix City Housing Authority · Average payment: $327 a month · Average wait: 7 months (334) 664-9991
  • Stough Phenix City 36869 200 low-income homes · Run by Phenix City Housing Authority · Average payment: $373 a month · Average wait: 6 months (334) 664-9991
  • Sumbry Hill Apts 851 25th Ave, Phenix City 36869 88 homes, 87 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 44 · 3 bd: 40 · In service since 2006 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Blake 2000A 21st Ave, Phenix City 36867 71 low-income homes · Run by Phenix City Housing Authority · Average payment: $376 a month · Average wait: 7 months (334) 664-9991

See all 15 buildings in Russell County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Phenix City

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Russell County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man shakes hands with the specialist who helped him with his loan, in the kitchen of his new home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Phenix City

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Phenix City or Russell County. The ones below are statewide in Alabama: they work in Phenix City the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Alabama

  • Step Up

    Statewide in Alabama

    Alabama state authority program with down payment assistance of 4% of the price (up to $10,000) as a 10-year second mortgage, alongside a 30-year fixed mortgage. Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

  • First Step Mortgage Revenue Bonds

    Statewide in Alabama

    Alabama state authority 30-year low-rate mortgage, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before, with down payment assistance of 4% of the price, up to $10,000, as a ten-year second mortgage. Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

  • Affordable Income Subsidy Grant

    Statewide in Alabama

    Alabama state authority grant for closing costs with an HFA Advantage conventional loan: 1% of the loan if you earn up to 50% of the area median, or half a percent if you earn 50% to 80%. Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).

    Grant

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Phenix City

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Phenix City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Legal Services Alabama Inc

    2567 Fairlane Drive Suite 300, Montgomery · 71 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in other languages.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (886) 456-4995

  • United Way of Central Alabama, Inc.

    3600 8th Ave S, Birmingham · 125 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
    (205) 458-8950

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Birmingham, AL

    529 Beacon Pkwy W Ste 204, Birmingham · 126 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (205) 942-8111

All counseling agencies in Alabama

Help in Spanish near Phenix City

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Phenix City

HUD’s record names them for Phenix City or Russell County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Phenix City Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (334) 664-9991

All housing agencies in Alabama Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Phenix City, with the typical home value.

Everything about Russell County Housing in Alabama

Neighboring counties

If Russell County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Phenix City.

All guides
A father, a mother and their daughter smile among the avocado trees by their home in Somis, California.

Questions

Housing questions about Phenix City

Short answers with the numbers for Phenix City and all of Russell County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Phenix City?

The typical home value in Phenix City is $170,300, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Russell County it is $165,700.

How much does it cost to rent in Phenix City?

Typical rent in Phenix City is $967 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Russell County is $1,212.

What is the FHA loan limit in Phenix City?

Phenix City uses the FHA limit for all of Russell County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Phenix City?

The typical homeowner in Phenix City pays $873 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.51% of the home’s value; in Russell County, the rate is 0.38%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Phenix City?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Russell County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).