Alabama moving guide

Where should I move in Alabama?

We ranked 32 Alabama cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Madison

   Home $367,900 · Rent $1,375 · Income $131,436 · Unemployment 2.5%
   82/100
2. 2

   Helena

   Home $292,700 · Rent $1,420 · Income $109,590 · Unemployment 2.1%
   81/100
3. 3

   Trussville

   Home $351,500 · Rent $1,450 · Income $120,794 · Unemployment 1.8%
   79/100
4. 4

   Prattville

   Home $208,500 · Rent $1,250 · Income $79,396 · Unemployment 2.0%
   76/100
5. 5

   Pelham

   Home $278,900 · Rent $1,573 · Income $91,904 · Unemployment 1.7%
   75/100
6. 6

   Daphne

   Home $309,700 · Rent $1,337 · Income $86,479 · Unemployment 2.1%
   69/100
7. 7

   Alabaster

   Home $242,600 · Rent $1,375 · Income $90,163 · Unemployment 3.3%
   67/100
8. 8

   Fairhope

   Home $406,500 · Rent $1,637 · Income $86,509 · Unemployment 3.6%
   59/100
9. 9

   Athens

   Home $253,700 · Rent $834 · Income $65,000 · Unemployment 3.3%
   58/100
10. 10

    Vestavia Hills

    Home $494,500 · Rent $1,455 · Income $129,171 · Unemployment 1.7%
    58/100
11. 11

    Auburn

    Home $342,400 · Rent $1,034 · Income $56,123 · Unemployment 3.8%
    57/100
12. 12

    Homewood

    Home $502,300 · Rent $1,457 · Income $108,386 · Unemployment 2.1%
    57/100
13. 13

    Mountain Brook

    Home $891,300 · Rent $1,444 · Income $191,128 · Unemployment 1.0%
    57/100
14. 14

    Hoover

    Home $391,300 · Rent $1,404 · Income $107,822 · Unemployment 4.0%
    54/100
15. 15

    Huntsville

    Home $263,100 · Rent $1,078 · Income $70,778 · Unemployment 4.3%
    52/100

Statewide, Alabama recorded 1,854 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #23 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in Alabama to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.