October 2026 North Alabama Fast Stats
Posted on 11/15/2026
The October 2026 North Alabama housing market delivered notable shifts in inventory and sales velocity across the region. According to the latest ValleyMLS.com data, buyers enjoyed more choices while homes moved faster than last year.
Consequently, Realtors have fresh talking points to guide both buyers and sellers this fall.
Regional Combined Market Overview
Across the entire North Alabama service area, active inventory expanded significantly compared to October 2025. Specifically, total homes on the market climbed 16.4% year-over-year to reach 5,996 units. Furthermore, sellers saw properties go under contract much faster. The average days on market dropped from 61 days last year to just 53 days.
However, closed sales dipped slightly by 8.1% to 1,189 total transactions. Meanwhile, the regional median sale price edged up 1% to $304,315. Pending sales also remained steady at 1,602 total units. You can explore more regional trends on the HAAR Market Statistics resource page.
Huntsville & Madison County Highlights
In Madison County, market dynamics mirrored the broader region with higher inventory and quicker turnarounds. Active listings rose 15.5% from last year, reaching 2,780 homes on the market. Additionally, the average days on market fell by nine days to land at 48 days.
On the pricing front, the median sale price adjusted slightly downward by 2.9% to $329,900. Closed sales also saw a 15.2% decrease, totaling 560 units for the month. Nevertheless, buyer demand remains healthy with 908 pending sales currently in the pipeline. Notably, new construction accounted for 188 of those closed sales, moving in an average of just 36 days.
Surrounding County Breakdown
Beyond Madison County, neighboring markets experienced distinct local shifts during October. Therefore, reviewing county-level data is essential for accurate pricing strategies.
| Market Area | Homes Sold (YoY) | Median Sale Price (YoY) | Active Inventory (YoY) | Avg. Days on Market | Pending Sales |
| Athens-Limestone | 193 (-10.6%) | $320k (-5.9%) | 1,104 (+11.3%) | 43 days | 323 |
| Morgan-Lawrence | 141 (-9.6%) | $267k (+3.5%) | 543 (+9.3%) | 49 days | 175 |
| Marshall County | 106 (+23.3%) | $322k (+23.8%) | 498 (+31.7%) | 64 days | 81 |
| Etowah-Cherokee | 86 (-9.5%) | $278k (+15.8%) | 457 (+14.3%) | 61 days | 70 |
| DeKalb County | 36 (-29.4%) | $265k (+15.2%) | 249 (+30.4%) | 40 days | 40 |
| Jackson County | 28 (-12.5%) | $277k (+16.9%) | 166 (+17.7%) | 64 days | 25 |
Key County Takeaways
Marshall County Surged: Marshall County led the region in growth, with closed sales jumping 23.3% and median prices climbing 23.8%.
DeKalb Moved Fastest: Homes in DeKalb County averaged just 40 days on the market, down sharply from 68 days in 2025.
Limestone Stayed Competitive: Athens-Limestone recorded 193 sales with a brisk 43-day average market time, despite a minor dip in median price.
Actionable Takeaways for HAAR Members
Overall, the October 2026 North Alabama housing market favors well-prepared clients. First, remind buyers that rising inventory gives them stronger negotiating power and more options across every county. Second, advise sellers that accurate pricing remains critical because buyers are selective. Finally, use these localized metrics alongside National Association of REALTORS® Research to position yourself as a trusted market expert.
ValleyMLS.com Market Stats include statistics from the following cities/counties: Athens, Limestone County, Dekalb County, Etowah County, Cherokee County, Huntsville, Madison County, Jackson County, Marshall County, Morgan County, Lawrence County