Best suburbs to live in Alabama

Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.

In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.

Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Alabama using data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.

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#28. Irondale, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 2,348
– Population: 13,455
– Median household income: $68,869
– Median home value: $202,600 (60% own)
– Median rent: $1,182 (40% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Magnolia Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

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#27. Athens, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 2,340
– Population: 26,179
– Median household income: $57,444
– Median home value: $224,200 (63% own)
– Median rent: $766 (37% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (grade A+), Brookhill Elementary School (grade A), Julian Newman Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. John Paul II Catholic High School (grade A+), Westminster Christian Academy (grade A), Madison Academy (grade A)

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#26. Hazel Green, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 2,211
– Population: 3,971
– Median household income: $75,625
– Median home value: $162,200 (76% own)
– Median rent: $943 (24% rent)
– Top public schools: Academy for Science Foreign Language Middle School (grade A minus), Meridianville Middle School (grade B+), Academy for Academics & Arts Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Westminster Christian Academy (grade A), Valley Fellowship Christian Academy (grade A minus), Providence Classical School (grade A minus)

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#25. Montevallo, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 2,195
– Population: 7,288
– Median household income: $56,500
– Median home value: $188,800 (66% own)
– Median rent: $942 (34% rent)
– Top public schools: Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Park Middle School (grade A), Pelham Oaks Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Evangel Classical Christian School (grade A minus), Cahawba Christian Academy (grade C), Chilton Christian Academy (grade C minus)

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#24. Pike Road, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 2,147
– Population: 9,651
– Median household income: $119,928
– Median home value: $355,700 (85% own)
– Median rent: $1,458 (15% rent)
– Top public schools: Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (grade A+), Brewbaker Tech Magnet High School (grade A), Pike Road Junior High School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Montgomery Academy (grade A+), Saint James School (grade A+), Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School (grade A)

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#23. Calera, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 2,124
– Population: 16,644
– Median household income: $73,775
– Median home value: $185,400 (80% own)
– Median rent: $1,561 (20% rent)
– Top public schools: Calera Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Thompson High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), Briarwood Christian School (grade A), The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (grade A)

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#22. Prattville, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 2,003
– Population: 38,124
– Median household income: $76,176
– Median home value: $196,300 (67% own)
– Median rent: $1,261 (33% rent)
– Top public schools: Daniel Pratt Elementary School (grade A minus), Millbrook Middle Junior High School (grade A minus), Prattville High School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: The Montgomery Academy (grade A+), Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School (grade A), Alabama Christian Academy (grade A)

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#21. Hartselle, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,979
– Population: 15,414
– Median household income: $64,876
– Median home value: $175,600 (75% own)
– Median rent: $775 (25% rent)
– Top public schools: Barkley Bridge Elementary School (grade A), Hartselle Intermediate School (grade A), Hartselle High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Decatur Heritage Christian Academy (grade A minus), Cornerstone Christian School (grade B), Sacred Heart Elementary School (grade unavailable)

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#20. Chelsea, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,908
– Population: 15,201
– Median household income: $102,344
– Median home value: $295,100 (89% own)
– Median rent: $1,486 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Park Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), Briarwood Christian School (grade A), The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (grade A)

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#19. Harvest, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,852
– Population: 6,328
– Median household income: $96,336
– Median home value: $232,000 (92% own)
– Median rent: $1,560 (8% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (grade A+), Sparkman High School (grade A minus), Academy for Science Foreign Language Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. John Paul II Catholic High School (grade A+), Westminster Christian Academy (grade A), Madison Academy (grade A)

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#18. Daphne, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,819
– Population: 27,861
– Median household income: $80,657
– Median home value: $276,300 (71% own)
– Median rent: $1,308 (29% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (grade A+), Fairhope High School (grade A), Fairhope Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Bayside Academy (grade A), McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (grade A), Bayshore Christian School (grade A minus)

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#17. Meridianville, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,755
– Population: 9,528
– Median household income: $92,443
– Median home value: $251,400 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,067 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (grade A+), Mt. Carmel Elementary School (grade A minus), Buckhorn High School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Randolph School (grade A+), St. John Paul II Catholic High School (grade A+), Westminster Christian Academy (grade A)

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#16. Brook Highland, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,636
– Population: 8,008
– Median household income: $73,941
– Median home value: $417,300 (42% own)
– Median rent: $1,295 (58% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

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#15. Fairhope, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,499
– Population: 22,605
– Median household income: $85,456
– Median home value: $392,300 (81% own)
– Median rent: $1,575 (19% rent)
– Top public schools: Fairhope High School (grade A), Fairhope Middle School (grade A), Fairhope Intermediate School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Bayside Academy (grade A), Bayshore Christian School (grade A minus), St Michael Catholic High School (grade B+)

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#14. Point Clear, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,471
– Population: 1,755
– Median household income: $69,310
– Median home value: $961,700 (73% own)
– Median rent: $383 (27% rent)
– Top public schools: Fairhope High School (grade A), Fairhope Middle School (grade A), Fairhope Intermediate School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Bayside Academy (grade A), Bayshore Christian School (grade A minus), St Michael Catholic High School (grade B+)

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#13. Blue Ridge, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,331
– Population: 1,282
– Median household income: $113,571
– Median home value: $306,800 (98% own)
– Median rent: No data available (2% rent)
– Top public schools: Redland Elementary School (grade B+), Wetumpka Elementary School (grade B+), Wetumpka High School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: The Montgomery Academy (grade A+), Saint James School (grade A+), Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School (grade A)

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#12. Trussville, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,142
– Population: 25,621
– Median household income: $118,028
– Median home value: $333,200 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,389 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Magnolia Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Mountain View Baptist School (grade A)

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#11. Spanish Fort, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 1,019
– Population: 10,083
– Median household income: $98,350
– Median home value: $290,100 (67% own)
– Median rent: $1,229 (33% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (grade A+), Spanish Fort Elementary School (grade A minus), Belforest Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. Paul’s Episcopal School (grade A), UMS-Wright Preparatory School (grade A), Bayside Academy (grade A)

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#10. Alabaster, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 779
– Population: 33,417
– Median household income: $89,423
– Median home value: $227,300 (85% own)
– Median rent: $1,215 (15% rent)
– Top public schools: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Meadow View Elementary (grade A), Calera Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

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#9. Helena, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 773
– Population: 21,036
– Median household income: $107,360
– Median home value: $275,600 (91% own)
– Median rent: $1,287 (9% rent)
– Top public schools: Spain Park High School (grade A+), Brock’s Gap Intermediate School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

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#8. Mountain Brook, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 665
– Population: 22,259
– Median household income: $167,007
– Median home value: $803,000 (89% own)
– Median rent: $1,521 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Mt. Brook High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

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#7. Pelham, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 557
– Population: 24,221
– Median household income: $94,108
– Median home value: $261,100 (84% own)
– Median rent: $1,376 (16% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

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#6. Indian Springs Village, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 473
– Population: 2,341
– Median household income: $135,114
– Median home value: $470,200 (97% own)
– Median rent: No data available (3% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

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#5. Vestavia Hills, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 331
– Population: 38,600
– Median household income: $127,582
– Median home value: $467,600 (77% own)
– Median rent: $1,458 (23% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Liberty Park Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

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#4. Hoover, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 262
– Population: 91,995
– Median household income: $101,765
– Median home value: $366,200 (69% own)
– Median rent: $1,352 (31% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Brock’s Gap Intermediate School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

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#3. Meadowbrook, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 143
– Population: 9,338
– Median household income: $141,620
– Median home value: $362,000 (89% own)
– Median rent: $1,536 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

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#2. Homewood, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 62
– Population: 27,557
– Median household income: $97,366
– Median home value: $463,500 (64% own)
– Median rent: $1,337 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Homewood High School (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

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#1. Madison, Alabama

– Overall Rank: 34
– Population: 56,967
– Median household income: $118,132
– Median home value: $327,100 (75% own)
– Median rent: $1,201 (25% rent)
– Top public schools: Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (grade A+), James Clemens High School (grade A+), Bob Jones High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Randolph School (grade A+), St. John Paul II Catholic High School (grade A+), Westminster Christian Academy (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.