There’s something refreshing about moving to a new state. You get to start a new chapter of your life in a new city, a new job, and start making new friends. While moving is a great thing for most people, it can be difficult moving across the country or even to a neighboring state without knowing more about the area you’re moving to.
If Alabama is the state you’re considering relocating to, there are a lot of great places to make your new home. The state has something for everyone! From mountains to rivers to sandy beaches, there’s a lot to love about Alabama.
Before you pack up your car, it’s important to research the best places to live in Alabama. As you do your research, check out our guide about the 12 best places to live in Alabama. Let’s get to it!
The Best Cities To Live in Alabama
Whether you’re moving to Alabama because you love the South, have a job opportunity, want to be closer to family, or just want a fresh start, choosing a city is the first step. Here are 12 of the best places to live in Alabama if you seek quality of life.
Auburn
Population: 80,006
Median income: $54,700
Median Home Price: $339K
Auburn, also known as the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area, is one of Alabama’s best places to live. It’s home to the famous Auburn University, less than an hour from the Alabama-Georgia border, and offers a little bit of something for people of all ages and plenty of southern hospitality.
For those who love bringing their dog with them to places, you’ll love Auburn. There are dozens of dog-friendly restaurants, beautiful parks (including Chewacla State Park), and plenty of activities to attend. Even without a dog, Auburn is a great place to call home.
The city has over 15 hospitals, over a dozen schools, including elementary schools and middle schools and a low violent crime rate. With ample job opportunities, it’s an excellent place for young professionals and those looking to raise a family.
Birmingham
Population: 196,910
Median income: $39,403
Median Home Price: $102.6K
As the state’s second-largest city by population, Birmingham is a wonderful place to live for those who want a city vibe with a lot of heart and charm. You’ll find dozens of museums like Thinktank and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Many young professionals and those with children live in Birmingham and the surrounding neighborhoods, but it’s also an excellent spot for retirees. With a low median household income and one of the most affordable housing markets, retirees flock here.
Besides that, there are over 100 dog-friendly restaurants, 51 schools, and a reasonably low crime rate. If you move to this Jefferson County city, prepare for hot summers and a long rainy season.
Fairhope
Population: 23,859
Median income: $83,258
Median Home Price: $445K
People often forget that Alabama does have a small area of coastline. If you want to be near the ocean, Fairhope is the best place to move. It’s right on the banks of Mobile Bay, and you get the best of both worlds: an ocean vibe and a cozy small town to call home.
You would think that being on the water would cause house prices to skyrocket, but they’re pleasantly affordable for most.
You’ll find a lot of working-class families living here, enjoying the local shops and restaurants and taking in the beautiful waterfront views.
Homewood
Population: 27,864
Median income: $89,433
Median Home Price: $472K
Homewood is a smaller neighborhood in the suburbs of Birmingham, just north of Vestavia Hills. It’s tiny, has a fairly affordable housing rate for young professionals, and plenty of small-town charm.
Younger people love living in Homewood because the range of housing options available for them tend to be affordable, and so is renting. You’ll see many people buying their first homes here or their first family home before potentially moving into something larger.
People who live here love the close-knit community, the small-town atmosphere, all the local shops and restaurants, and the proximity to the city.
Hoover
Population: 92,435
Median income: $95,970
Median Home Price: $412K
For nature lovers, Hoover is an excellent spot! It has all the charm of a small town with the excitement of a larger city. The best part is the beautiful Oak Mountain State Park on the right side of town, ready to explore.
Hoover is in the middle of the road when it comes to the cost of living. The residents don’t struggle to get by on average, but we wouldn’t say it’s an affluent area.
This is a comfortable place to experience the southern hospitality, raise a family in peace, and enjoy living in one of the beautiful homes in Alabama.
Huntsville
Population: 215,052
Median income: $60,959
Median Home Price: $265K
Huntsville is the most populous city in Alabama and has a rich history behind it. The city’s historical areas are a favorite place for many because they’re beautiful, and you can learn a lot about the city and state.
This city is great for everyone, especially those who thrive in a bigger city. The good news is that if you want city life but a more suburban area for your home, plenty of great suburbs are nearby.
The schools near Huntsville real estate are decent; there’s minimal violent and nonviolent crime, a lot of museums, and a decent brewery scene if you love local beer.
Madison
Population: 59,785
Median income: $105,335
Median Home Price: $358K
Madison is an excellent option with a lot of charm for those who want a smaller-town feel. Despite being a small town, Madison is surprisingly ethnically and culturally diverse, so many people will feel comfortable calling Madison home.
The Redstone Arsenal Military Base provides many job opportunities, and for those in engineering, this is one of the best spots in town for a job.
Families love calling Madison home thanks to the family-oriented events throughout the year and the fact that Madison has some of the best public schools in the state.
Mobile
Population: 411,411
Median income: $51,169
Median Home Price: $178.7K
Mobile is the perfect place for coastal living in Alabama. Nature lovers will love the state parks, green spaces, various rivers, and the bay that leads into the ocean. You’ll see many people kayaking, hiking, fishing, and overall enjoying being outside on the Gulf Coast.
It’s the oldest city in Alabama, so you know it’s loaded with history and historical areas. It’s a pretty area to live in and has a lot of small-town vibes despite having the fourth-highest population.
Locals also enjoy a plethora of cultural activities in Mobile, including the yearly Mardi Gras, the Carnival Museum, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, the History Museum of Mobile, and much more.
People of all ages can enjoy living here, so you’ll find young professionals, retirees, families with kids, and people from all walks of life in this lovely coastal town.
Montgomery
Population: 226,361
Median income: $52,511
Median Home Price: $134K
As the capital city of Alabama, Montgomery offers plenty of job opportunities and things to keep you occupied when you’re not working. Some of the most popular things to do in this Alabama city include:
- Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum
- Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
- Rosa Parks Museum
- Old Alabama Town
- The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
- The Legacy Museum
The best part is that even though this is a larger city, the cost of living and housing rates are very affordable. Montgomery also has an important history dating back to the civil rights movement.
Property and violent crime are lower than the national average, so you’ll see many younger people living here and retirees.
Mountain Brook
Population: 21,955
Median income: $150,268
Median Home Price: $863.8K
Mountain Brook is another suburb of Birmingham that’s a little closer than Vestavia Hills. It’s the perfect small area for those who want a suburb but with a slightly more urban feel than Vestavia Hills and Homewood.
The neighborhood is close to the business district of Birmingham, so it’s the perfect commuter neighborhood. This is a far more expensive area to live in, so you’ll see more business professionals and older adults with a higher paying job living here solely so they can afford the housing.
There are many things to do in Mountain Brook, but most people here are ready to raise a family. They have excellent schools, some of the best in the state!
Tuscaloosa
Population: 236,780
Median income: $57,508
Median Home Price: $206.8K
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. As the mecca of college football, it’s definitely a college town, but that doesn’t mean families with kids and those out of college can’t enjoy living here.
People love living in this western central Alabama city because it’s the heart of the state’s commerce, education, and engineering industries.
Add on the fact that Tuscaloosa is one of the safest places to live in Alabama; it’s no wonder this beautiful town is on our list of the best places to live there.
Vestavia Hills
Population: 38,29
Median income: $118,539
Median Home Price: $506K
Last but not least, we have Vestavia Hills. This town is a little newer, established only in 1950. Vestavia Hills is a suburb of Birmingham, and it doesn’t get better than this area if you want suburban charm.
It is a pricier area of Alabama to live in, but it is still relatively affordable compared to similar suburbs in the country. Regardless of your budget, many of the homes are spread out and offer ample lawn space.
Vestavia Hills is popular with families because it’s safe, has good schools, and has excellent child-friendly activities throughout the year. Besides families with kids, young professionals love living here because they get a suburban life but can easily commute to Birmingham for work.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Places to Live in Alabama
No matter where you’re considering moving to in Alabama, you probably have many questions. Here’s what others are asking regarding making a move to the South.
What part of Alabama is best to live in?
The best part of Alabama to live in will depend on your income, your job if you have kids or are planning to, and what you like to do in your free time. If you want to be near the ocean, the best part is Mobile. Tuscaloosa is the best if you want housing affordability and are a young adult.
Is Alabama a good state to move to?
Most people would agree that Alabama is an excellent state to move to. It has a mild climate that’s very warm in the summers, not too cold in the winter, even in the northern part of the state, and has some of the most affordable housing in the country.
What are the pros and cons of living in Alabama?
There are pros and cons to living anywhere. Some pros to living in Alabama are the low cost of living, affordable housing, and various landscapes to choose from. A few cons to living in Alabama are the hot and humid summers, the potential for tornados, and a less-than-average public school districts.
Is it better to live in Alabama or Georgia?
Whether it’s better to live in Alabama or Georgia is a personal preference. Both are fairly affordable states to live in, but if you want cheaper housing and a more affordable cost of living, then Alabama is better. Alabama also has a lower population than Georgia, so even the larger cities aren’t as overwhelming for some people.
Should I live in Florida or Alabama?
If you’re torn between Florida or Alabama, it’s a huge decision. Florida has a higher population, higher cost of living, and higher housing rates on average compared to Alabama. Alabama offers a mother-southern lifestyle that you can’t get in Florida. You should live in Alabama if you want a more affordable place to live.
Why are homes in Alabama so cheap?
The homes in Alabama are so cheap compared to neighboring states and others in the country because of the lower population, lower cost of living, and higher poverty rates.
Is Alabama a high-tax state?
Alabama isn’t a high-tax state. According to the Tax Foundation, Alabama’s tax system is 41st. They have a 6.5% corporate tax, 4% sales tax, and no income taxation.
How much does it cost to live comfortably in Alabama?
The cost of living in Alabama is pretty low, so you don’t need millions to live comfortably. The average cost of living in Alabama is just under $40,000. So, having around that annually should allow you to live comfortably. It does depend on where in Alabama you live, though. Having over $60,000 and even closer to $100,000 is ideal in some higher-cost areas.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to moving to a new state or a new city within your current state, learning as much about the city as possible is vital to ensuring you’re making the best choice for you and your family.
If you’re considering moving to Alabama, take some time to do more research on any of the cities we mentioned above. You can do a custom search for Alabama real estate at eXp Realty and even sign up for new listing alerts so you’re always aware of new properties coming on the market.
Had a fruitful search and found your dream Alabama home already? Then we recommend you contact a local eXp agent for a smooth homebuying process.
