Best suburbs in Birmingham

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike’s interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Birmingham. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Birmingham.

Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Irondale, Alabama

– Population: 13,455
– Median home value: $202,600
– Median rental price: $1,182

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Magnolia Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B+
— Outdoor activities grade: B

YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#13. Montevallo, Alabama

– Population: 7,288
– Median home value: $188,800
– Median rental price: $942

– Top schools nearby: Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Park Middle School (grade A), Pelham Oaks Elementary School (grade A−)
– Top private schools nearby: Evangel Classical Christian School (grade A−), Cahawba Christian Academy (grade C), Chilton Christian Academy (grade C−)

– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B+
— Outdoor activities grade: B

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#12. Calera, Alabama

– Population: 16,644
– Median home value: $185,400
– Median rental price: $1,561

– Top schools nearby: Calera Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Thompson High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), Briarwood Christian School (grade A), The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B

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#11. Chelsea, Alabama

– Population: 15,201
– Median home value: $295,100
– Median rental price: $1,486

– Top schools nearby: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Park Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), Briarwood Christian School (grade A), The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Brook Highland, Alabama

– Population: 8,008
– Median home value: $417,300
– Median rental price: $1,295

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: B

Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. Trussville, Alabama

– Population: 25,621
– Median home value: $333,200
– Median rental price: $1,389

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Magnolia Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Mountain View Baptist School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B

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#8. Alabaster, Alabama

– Population: 33,417
– Median home value: $227,300
– Median rental price: $1,215

– Top schools nearby: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Meadow View Elementary (grade A), Calera Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B+
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Helena, Alabama

– Population: 21,036
– Median home value: $275,600
– Median rental price: $1,287

– Top schools nearby: Spain Park High School (grade A+), Brock’s Gap Intermediate School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B+
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. Mountain Brook, Alabama

– Population: 22,259
– Median home value: $803,000
– Median rental price: $1,521

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Mt. Brook High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. Pelham, Alabama

– Population: 24,221
– Median home value: $261,100
– Median rental price: $1,376

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

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#4. Indian Springs Village, Alabama

– Population: 2,341
– Median home value: $470,200
– Median rental price: $No data available

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Vestavia Hills, Alabama

– Population: 38,600
– Median home value: $467,600
– Median rental price: $1,458

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Liberty Park Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Meadowbrook, Alabama

– Population: 9,338
– Median home value: $362,000
– Median rental price: $1,536

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Homewood, Alabama

– Population: 27,557
– Median home value: $463,500
– Median rental price: $1,337

– Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Homewood High School (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.