9 Best Places to Live in Alabama in 2024

Shaped roughly as a rectangle on the map, the “Cotton State” has a diverse topography. Alabama is the 30th largest state by area in the nation but the 24th most populous by population. With this high population density, the cities here might look too congested, especially for those looking to slow down.

However, tucked in between the big cities in Alabama are small towns that are peaceful and more reserved places to live. From the suburb town of Mountain Brook to Alabaster, a city a few miles from Downtown Birmingham, there are plenty of options when settling down in Alabama. Get your moving truck ready for a life-changing relocation in 2024.

Alabaster

If you are on the lookout for a town in Alabama with a good medical care facility, then you should scout for houses within the suburban city of Alabaster. Its downtown is home to the largest medical facility in Shelby County, Shelby Baptist Medical Center. Apart from its excellent healthcare facility, Alabaster homes are valued at a median listing of $337,500 as of January 2024, making the town an excellent choice if you are looking to settle your family here.

Are you a beer lover? You can unwind at the Siluria Brewing Company and enjoy a glass of beer with friends or even a total stranger. The Buck Creek Park and Trail is another way to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. If you have a pet dog or you love fish-feeding, Veterans Park will be a great place to bond with your dog and meet other dog parents.

Northport

Across the Black Warrior River from the busy and rowdy city of Tuscaloosa is a small town named Northport. This city is a blend of nature and culinary expertise, and the average home price in Northport is $329,900.

This town is known for its eco-friendly environment and recreational activities. Nature lovers will love it here, from spending hours studying the unique flora and fauna at Van De Graaff Park to fishing or boating along the river at Treasure Island County Park. History lovers will have enough time to explore the historic downtown area and Northport Heritage Museum to learn about the town’s history.

Daphne

Popularly known as the “Jubilee City,” Daphne is a family-oriented city with alluring landscapes and rich history. Residents and locals have different meanings for the word “Jubilee.” To them, it's when nature favors the locals by washing shoreline seafood from the depths of the bay. Apart from its seafood abundance, this town is a great place to build a family in the United States. It has an average home price of  $351,300.

One of the perks of being a resident in this town is the pleasure of enjoying an array of seafood delicacies from local restaurants like The Waterfront or Market By the Bay all year round. Enjoy the amazing scenery at the May Day Park. Either go fishing by the pier or bury your feet in the white beach sand.

Athens

The County seat of Limestone County is another nice option for a town to live in Alabama. The cost of living and weather conditions in Athens are favorable for anyone looking for a slow-paced, cute town. Athens has a median home price of $345,000 as of January, which is affordable for families or single households.

The town's Main Street is a sight to behold, from beautifully tree-lined streets to picturesque shop architecture. Interact with locals and familiarise yourself with the environment at local antique shops like Serendipity Antique Mall or Willow Cottage Antiques. If you are a vintage lover, you will have fun building your vintage collections from these antiques. Go out for dinner at Las Trojas Cantina, Ro's Grille, or Catfish Cabin II and get to meet other residents in town while you enjoy the nice local cuisine.

Homewood

Another suburb town in Alabama to look out for is Homewood. This town is the suburb of the busy city of Birmingham, located on the other side of the Red Mountain.

Characterized by humid summers and mild winters, you may spend a lot of your days outdoors. While the town has a higher median home listing price of $500,000 in comparison with Birmingham (median home price $179,000), it is worth it for the added peace and quiet. Go on a solo date or on a date with your loved ones to Breakout Games. Visit Evolve Massage & Alternative Healing for a relaxing spa date and Art Alley or Four Seasons Gallery to check out creative art pieces. Spend your evenings at Homewood Central Park, where you can read a book in the quiet park or play outdoor games with residents and loved ones.

Prattville

Located within Autauga and Elmore County is the small town called Prattville. This town serves as the county seat of Autauga County. Popularly monikered “The Fountain City” as a result of the many artesian wells in the area. With mild winters and hot summers, you are sure to have a good time all year round. Prattville has a median home price of $287,000 in 2024 with a year-over-year downtrend of -4.2%.

Are you an art lover? You will have fun scavenging the Prattville Creative Arts Center and Gallery for artwork from local artists and artists nationwide. You can spend time at the Daniel Pratt Historic District. This 140 acres of beauty has a variety of shops such as First Street Market, restaurants such as Pratt Pub & Oyster Bar, and sitting places to enjoy the view of Autauga Creek.

Phenix City

Named by BusinessWeek in 2007 as the nation’s number one best affordable suburb to raise a family is the small Alabama town of Phenix City. It is located west across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia. The average price for homes in Phenix City is $235,000, with an uptrend of 10.8% year-over-year.

If you are looking for a place to spend a fun afternoon with your loved ones, go whitewater rafting or ziplining at the RushSouth Whitewater Park. For golfing, head to Lakewood Golf Course. At Chattahoochee Paddle Company, you can engage in all sorts of watersports, such as kayaking and canoeing. If you love car racing, check out East Alabama Motor Speedway.

Mountain Brook

Mountain Brook is a suburb town that is known for its excellent educational system in the state of Alabama. The town is a popular place to live, with a median home price of $942,500.

Enjoy nature’s wonders on long walks on the several trails in Jemison Park. You can also watch several flocks of different bird species migrating through the city in this park. Survey the city and interact with locals and other residents during long walks along the streets of Mountain Brook. Try out local cuisines at Brick & Tin Mountain Brook or Urban Cookhouse, and shop for stylish antiques at Circa Interiors & Antiques or Maison to decorate your home.

Helena

Another city of interest for relocation would be Helena, a city that ranked 13th on Business Week’s “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” in 2007. The median home price listing is $399,900, which is slightly lower than the US national average of around $420,000.

Helena presents you with the opportunity to live in the moment, dancing to local artists during community events such as the 2024 Mayor’s Neighborhood Banquet, and the Light Up the Night Father/Daughter Dance, which are both held in March. Learn a thing or two about the history of this amazing town at the Helena Penhale Museum or from your interactions with locals. Explore nature at the Cahaba River Park through either biking or hiking along its several trails.

Alabama is one of the best places to live in the United States in 2024, with average home prices around $220,000. It is filled with many small towns that are safe and quite affordable. What are you waiting for? Take a tour of any of these nine towns above, connect with locals, and enjoy local cuisines before picking a town that suits your lifestyle.