If you’re looking for some ideas on where to live in Alabama, you’ve come to the right place!
Obviously, the best place to live is a fairly subjective thing. It all depends on your lifestyle, your family, your job, your hobbies, and your budget.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when looking for the best place to live for YOU in Alabama:
- What is the cost of housing? (Home prices and rent)
- What is the job market like in the area?
- How is commuting and transportation?
- How good are public schools in the area?
- Is it a safe place to live?
- What is the culture like?
- What is there to do for fun?
- What is the weather and climate like throughout the year?
With that said, our picks for the best places to live in Alabama include:
- Huntsville
- Birmingham
- Homewood
- Vestavia Hills
- Auburn
Read why they made the list below!
1. Huntsville
Huntsville is located in Madison County within the Appalachian region in northern Alabama.
With a population of 215,000, Huntsville ranks 1st in Alabama and 105th in the U.S.
Huntsville’s climate is classified as a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and relatively mild winters. Average highs range from 52 to 91 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 33 to 71, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Huntsville on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
As AL’s largest city, Huntsville has a lot to offer from jobs and education to entertainment and culture.
Most areas within Huntsville offer a suburban feel with plenty of parks and shopping areas and dining to enjoy.
For the science and history buffs, Huntsville’s NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has plenty to offer as well.
With its comfortable climate, outdoor events and recreational activities are popular and accessible throughout the year.
2. Birmingham
Birmingham sits within Jefferson County within the north central region of Alabama.
With a population of 200,000, Birmingham ranks 2nd in Alabama and 118th in the U.S.
Birmingham’s climate is classified as a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and decent rainfall each year. Average highs range from 51 to 91 throughout the year, with July and August being the hottest months on average.
Average lows range from 33 to 72, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Birmingham on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Jobs | 3.5/5 |
| Public Schools | 2/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
As the second largest city in Alabama, Birmingham also has a little bit of something for everybody (and anything else within a reasonable distance).
The city features mostly denser suburban layouts with a variety of hiking trails, parks, museums, theaters, and concert venues throughout the area.
It’s a great way to experience the perks of urban living at an affordable cost.
3. Homewood
Homewood is a suburb of Birmingham, AL located in Jefferson County in the north central part of the state.
With a population of 26,000, Homewood retains a small town feel with close proximity to the amenities of Birmingham.
Here’s how we rate Homewood on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 5/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 4/5 |
There are plenty of affordable single family homes with decent-sized yards and beautiful trees.
While it’s certainly quieter and cozier than the bigger cities, the downtown areas have plenty of great restaurants, cafes, shops, and parks.
Its public school system is also one of the best in the state.
4. Vestavia Hills
Located right next to Homewood, Vestavia hills is another great suburb on the outside of Birmingham in Jefferson County.
Here’s how we rate Vestavia Hills on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 3.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 5/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 4/5 |
Vestavia Hills is another small town suburb oriented towards families.
Like Homewood, the public schools in the area are among the best in the state.
The area is quiet, safe, and pretty with plenty of great restaurants and local businesses.
Family-sized homes with private yards are relatively affordable and typically lower than the country’s median price.
5. Auburn
Auburn is located in Lee County in the eastern region of the state.
It is a medium-sized (and growing) area with a population of over 75,000.
Like much of the rest of the state, Auburn has hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Here’s how we rate Auburn on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 3/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 5/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
Being a college town, Auburn is attractive for younger residents.
It also features interesting historical locations, beautiful parks, and great restaurants.
Auburn is close enough to some of the bigger cities in the area, but retains a small-town charm.
Next Steps: Prepare for your Move
Moving to a new state or new city can be a pretty daunting process! Trust us, we’ve been there.
That’s why we’ve created this site to help you along the way. Check out some of our other resources as you continue down the path towards your new home:
Plus, we’ve made it easy for you to shop and compare all different types of insurance policies as you prepare for your move. (Expert tip: This is one of the BEST ways to save some money). Get started below: