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Best places to live in Alabama

What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Alabama using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.

On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

#10. Helena
– Population: 18,463
– Median home value: $195,100 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,341 (7% rent)
– Median household income: $87,781
– Top public schools: Robert F. Bumpus Middle School (A+), Hoover High School (A+), Brock’s Gap Intermediate School (A+)
– Top private schools: Riverside Christian Academy, Gospel Light Baptist Academy, Primrose School of Riverwoods

#9. Pelham
– Population: 23,428
– Median home value: $189,000 (85% own)
– Median rent: $1,119 (15% rent)
– Median household income: $80,510
– Top public schools: Calera Elementary School (A), Oak Mt. High School (A), Thompson High School (A)
– Top private schools: Hope Christian School (B)

#8. Auburn
– Population: 64,054
– Median home value: $266,200 (46% own)
– Median rent: $884 (54% rent)
– Median household income: $47,318
– Top public schools: Cary Woods Elementary School (A+), Dean Road Elementary School (A+), Richland Elementary School (A+)
– Top private schools: Auburn University Early Learning Center

#7. Mountain Brook
– Population: 20,436
– Median home value: $628,800 (86% own)
– Median rent: $1,561 (14% rent)
– Median household income: $152,355
– Top public schools: Mt. Brook High School (A+), Mt. Brook Junior High School (A), Mt. Brook Elementary School (A)
– Top private schools: Highlands School

#6. Meadowbrook
– Population: 9,468
– Median home value: $299,200 (85% own)
– Median rent: $1,406 (15% rent)
– Median household income: $109,650
– Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Oak Mt. Elementary School (A-), Oak Mt. Intermediate School (A-)
– Top private schools: The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (A)

#5. Vestavia Hills
– Population: 34,307
– Median home value: $376,200 (78% own)
– Median rent: $1,218 (22% rent)
– Median household income: $109,485
– Top public schools: Vestavia Hills High School (A+), Liberty Park Middle School (A+), Liberty Park Elementary School (A+)
– Top private schools: Southminster Day School, St. Mark United Methodist Kindergarten, Ascension Episcopal Kindergarten

#4. Hoover
– Population: 85,175
– Median home value: $291,000 (69% own)
– Median rent: $1,123 (31% rent)
– Median household income: $89,452
– Top public schools: Spain Park High School (A+), Robert F. Bumpus Middle School (A+), Hoover High School (A+)
– Top private schools: Hoover Christian School (A), Prince of Peace Catholic School (A+), Riverchase United Methodist Day School

#3. Indian Springs Village
– Population: 2,549
– Median home value: $367,200 (95% own)
– Median rent: No data available (5% rent)
– Median household income: $119,091
– Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Oak Mt. Elementary School (A-), Oak Mt. Intermediate School (A-)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (A+), Our Lady of the Valley School, Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy

#2. Madison
– Population: 49,327
– Median home value: $253,000 (71% own)
– Median rent: $946 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $99,188
– Top public schools: James Clemens High School (A+), Bob Jones High School (A+), Mill Creek Elementary School (A+)
– Top private schools: Madison Baptist Academy (A), St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Primrose School of Madison

#1. Homewood
– Population: 25,534
– Median home value: $347,800 (63% own)
– Median rent: $1,112 (37% rent)
– Median household income: $84,157
– Top public schools: Homewood High School (A+), Homewood Middle School (A+), Shades Cahaba Elementary School (A+)
– Top private schools: John Carroll Catholic High School (A), Islamic Academy of Alabama (A-), Our Lady of Sorrows School

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