Best Places to Live in Alabama

Are you searching for the best places to live in Alabama? Check out these seven great cities in Alabama!

Known to be a state with rich history, culture, natural beauty, and southern hospitality, Alabama is a great place to live for many various reasons. If you want somewhere with low income and property taxes, low cost of living, and beautiful weather, then Alabama may be a good place for you to live and raise a family.

If you are moving to Alabama and wondering where you should live, this guide has you covered! When searching for a place to live, you need to weigh all your options, and Alabama is a vast southern state that offers a lot. This large state in the Southeastern part of the United States provides about 590 different cities. Finding the perfect neighborhood to move to that meets your budget and lifestyle can be difficult. Luckily, Alabama is home to many top-rated cities with a lot to offer, whether you want to live in a busy city or a small town with beautiful views.

Here are the top 7 cities to live in Alabama!

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is a city in the North region of the state and is known as Alabama's most populous county, with a total of 197,575 residents. This famous state is ranked as one of the top 100 places to live in the United States. Fan favorites love the various dining options, entertainment, sports, music, and job opportunities that this city offers.

This city has plenty of opportunities along the lines of arts, nature, and culture. Birmingham is known historically as the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement and is consumed with many historical landmarks, museums, and attractions. You cannot miss out on this beautiful southern state!

The city of Birmingham has a wide variety of family-orientated establishments that include local parks, restaurants, events, and more. Not only does it have a lot to offer, but the cost of living here is also affordable! The median home cost is about $67,00, which is less than a quarter of the national average.

Not only is it easy to raise a family, but you will also be able to enjoy the beautiful weather! Birmingham rarely ever gets cold, but it does have long, hot summers. If you are looking for somewhere with warm weather and rarely ever get snow, this may be the place for you!

Local Favorites:

• Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum: This museum houses the world's most extensive collection of motorcycles and racecars. It holds about 1,200+ motorcycles and race cars within a contemporary, glass-enclosed setup. This building is a multipurpose area that also has a 2.38-mile track! Motorcycle lovers can't miss out!
• Vulcan Park and Museum: Home of the Vulcan state, the largest cast ion state in the world, and is the city symbol for Birmingham. This statue is 56 feet tall and can be visited through the Vulcan Park and Museum to explore its history.
• Niki's West Restaurant: This classic Alabama restaurant is home to old-fashioned southern food at affordable prices where you can find all your favorite home-cooked meals while enjoying the relaxed and inviting atmosphere!
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: A cultural research center depicting historical artifacts from the Civil Rights Movement. The museum is in a modern area with an extensive collection of relics, interactive events, and scenarios. This museum is the ninth most popular attraction, so you can't miss out!

Mobile, Alabama

Mobile is a port city on Alabama's Gulf Coast, which is simply gorgeous with rich history and festivals. You can find unique museums, breathtaking French architecture, mouth-watering cuisine, and a loving crowd of residents. The population of this state is about 190,000 people, and it is a trendy area to move to due to its location!

When searching for a place to live, you have to know specific things, and here in Mobile, AL, you will have, on average, 220 days of sunshine here due to the subtropical climate! While the weather is fantastic, it also is about a 40-minute drive to a handful of beaches where you can admire the pearl white sand and breathtaking views.

On the other hand, Mobile is also known for its fusion of economic growth, innovations, old-world charm, high quality of life, and especially its low cost of living! This old city has a lot to offer you, whether it be the history, location, cost of living, or weather, you will love where you are at! Check out a few of the local favorites in this city.

Local Favorites:

• Mobile Carnival Museum: Honors the history and tradition of Carnival and Mardi Gras. Check out this museum to immerse yourself in the rich history and see firsthand the artistic signs of Mardi Gras monarchs!
• Mobile Bay: A vast estuary system home to 49 species of mammals, 126 reptiles, and many fresh and saltwater fish and birds. This large body of water is a famous sight to see if you are outdoorsy. You can't miss out on seeing all these different animals!
• USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: A veterans memorial in Alabama that honors the ones who served our country. This is a permanent public memorial to educate the public about the contributions and sacrifices of the veterans of all branches.
• Dumbwaiter Restaurant: Classic southern-style dishes with their flavor. Local artisans and tradespeople crafted the atmosphere to reflect the city's ambiance. Grab a chair and enjoy a meal inspired by the south!

Montgomery, Alabama

As the city's capital, Montgomery is home to the Civil Rights Movement, with a total population of about 200,000 residents. Living in this beautiful city, you will experience rapid economic changes, many activities to do, many options for education, and easy access to industries and agencies.

Considering moving to this beautiful city? Well, this city offers a job market on its rise, an affordable cost of living, incredible nightlife, restaurants, activities, and views you cannot beat! Montgomery is located in the center of Alabama and has a lot to offer.

Montgomery may be for you if you do not like cold weather. This city only has about 2.7 months of cold weather with a high of 58, and sunny warm weather the rest of the year! Montgomery is a fan-favorite place with a lot to offer you, so check out all your options before choosing a move here.

Local Favorites:

• Montgomery Zoo: This popular family destination is spread over 40-acre located on the North side of Montgomery. This zoo is home to over 700 animals from 5 continents and provides you with a train ride throughout the park.
• River Front Park: This beautiful park offers riverboat rides, concerts, baseball, and boating attraction among the riverside compound.
• Capitol Oyster Bar: This quaint establishment overlooks the water and offers southern fare, seafood, and traditional live music.
• Shane's Rib Shack: A homey counter-service restaurant that dishes up slow-smoked BBQ and fixings in a roadhouse setting.

Hoover, Alabama

Hoover is a fast-growing suburb with a total population of 92,589. The location of this city is Northern central, the largest suburban city in Alabama. Living in Hoover offers residents a dense suburban feel with many parks and views to enjoy!

Hoover's economy is booming with many retail stores, award-winning school systems, and recreational facilities. This large city also offers immediate access to world-class healthcare to its residents, which makes it one of the safest places to live in Alabama.

Not only does this place offer a lot for your families, but it also has around 30 different parks and recreational facilities within Hoover city limits. It is a perfect location for hiking, biking, swimming, golfing, and many more activities. If you want a family-friendly area in Alabama to move to, Hoover is for you!

Local Favorites:

• Moss Rock Preserve & Waterfalls: Hiking trails and waterfalls through this wooded 349-acre nature preserve with streams and climbable boulders
• Hoover Metropolitan Complex: A great venue to host various events. This place is a baseball stadium that has been transformed for sporting events and concerts.
• Big Bad Breakfast: This popular spot boasts bold flavors and creative breakfast food, taking a hands-on approach by making its bacon, producing its sausages, and curing its ham.

Athens, Alabama

Athens is located in the northern part of this large state, with 17,027 residents. Athens is home to several historic buildings and residences. This city has evolved into a major center of technology in Alabama.

Athens is located in Limestone Country, one of the best places to live in Alabama. This place offers residents a sparse suburban feel with many parks. Athens is a small town outside many larger cities but still gives the small town feel.

Choosing a place to move to can be difficult when there are a lot of different things to debate between. Something significant to many people is the cost of living, and here in Athens, the cost of living is 18% lower than the national average. Athens has a lot to offer, so make sure you love the place you live!

Local Favorites:

• Athens Farmers Market: located in downtown Athens which offers many benefits, especially a green space with picnic tables!
• Southern Gayles Gold Course and Grill: 18-hole championship golf course that plays 7070 yards of the longest tees with a part of 72!
• LawLers Barbecue: a locally owned business that offers a traditional family meal through fresh and fast food!

Auburn, Alabama

Auburn is located in the eastern part of Alabama, with a total population of 78,564. This beautiful city offers the residents a suburban feel with various coffee shops and parks. Most of the people here consist of young professionals and retirees.

The cost of living in Auburn is about 19% lower than the national average while providing their residents with a safe place to live and excellent education programs. Auburn is affordable and safe to live in, ranks very high in diversity, and has something for everyone.

Auburn is a beautiful place and a perfect home to raise your family. Opportunities for employment and education are expanding every day. Not only are the residents amiable and educated, but it is also a booming city that offers you many different opportunities!

Local Favorites:

• Chewacla State Park: 696 scenic acres offer plenty of rest, relaxation, and recreation!
• Jordan-Hare Stadium: An American football stadium on the campus of Auburn University that serves as the home for the Auburn Tigers football team
• Bow & Arrow: A barbecue restaurant founded by a chef who just wanted to serve southern favorites in a home-style way!

Phenix City, Alabama

Phenix City is a city in Lee and Russel counties with a total population of 38,428. This city is right on the Alabama and Georgia state line, so you get the best of both states! Phenix City is also a tiny city but is very affordable to live in and a very calm area.

Not only is it cheaper to live in this tight-knit community, but it also has meager crime rates and few bad storms, and has the southern heat. Phenix City offers many beautiful views, parks, and a sound education system!

Finding a place to live can be challenging, and one big thing many people look for is somewhere safe to live. You will be offered many things here in this small southern town. If you want a quiet little area to raise your family, this city may be for you!

Local Favorites:

• Phenix City Riverwalk: Urban trail stretching for 1.2 miles along the banks of Chattahoochee River
• East Alabama Motor Speedway: Hosts National 100, stock car racing, and monster truck events, and you can even spin your rides around the track yourself!
• Ed's Bar. B. Que. and Country Cooking: Simple, old-school joint serving Southern soul food and BBQ on cafeteria-style partitioned plates

Best Places to Live in Alabama - Final Thoughts

Alabama is a beautiful state with so many various things to offer you. Since Alabama is such a large state, every city has different opportunities to choose from. Alabama may be for you whether you want something with a suburban feel or exciting nightlife! Make sure you weigh all your options to find the right place.

Finding the perfect place to move to can be difficult, but Alabama has a lot to give, especially the low cost of living! If anyone else you may know is interested in homes for sale in Alabama, make sure you contact us here to connect with a Realty Specialist to make your transition easier! Also, check out these other local areas guides like best neighborhoods in Auburn, cost of living Alabama, and best neighborhoods in Birmingham.