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Best places to raise a family in Alabama
Choosing a place to raise children can be a daunting task for any family. If it takes a village to raise a child, that may just extend all the way to your next-door neighbor, fifth-grade teacher, or volunteer soccer coach. While all parents are looking for a great place to raise their kids, oftentimes this decision means balancing—and prioritizing—certain community resources and costs.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to raise a family in Alabama using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Keep reading to see if where you grew up or currently live made the list.
#20. Huntsville
- Population: 196,219
- Median home value: $182,900 (57% own)
- Median rent: $827 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $55,305
- Top public schools: New Century Technology High School (A+), Heritage Elementary School (A+), Virgil Grissom High School (A)
- Top private schools: Randolph School (A+), St. John Paul II Catholic High School (A+), Westminster Christian Academy (A)
- Pictured: 511 Holmes Ave, Huntsville ($2.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $182,900 (57% own)
- Median rent: $827 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $55,305
- Top public schools: New Century Technology High School (A+), Heritage Elementary School (A+), Virgil Grissom High School (A)
- Top private schools: Randolph School (A+), St. John Paul II Catholic High School (A+), Westminster Christian Academy (A)
- Pictured: 511 Holmes Ave, Huntsville ($2.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
#19. Daphne
- Population: 25,901
- Median home value: $201,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,200 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $71,882
- Top public schools: Fairhope High School (A), Fairhope Primary School (A), Daphne Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Bayside Academy (A+), Christ the King School (unavailable), The Community School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 10810 Redfern Rd, Daphne ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $201,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,200 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $71,882
- Top public schools: Fairhope High School (A), Fairhope Primary School (A), Daphne Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Bayside Academy (A+), Christ the King School (unavailable), The Community School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 10810 Redfern Rd, Daphne ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
#18. Spanish Fort
- Population: 8,601
- Median home value: $242,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,172 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $83,913
- Top public schools: Spanish Fort High School (A-), Rockwell Elementary School (A-), Spanish Fort Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 33529 Alder Cir, Spanish Fort ($869,500, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $242,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,172 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $83,913
- Top public schools: Spanish Fort High School (A-), Rockwell Elementary School (A-), Spanish Fort Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 33529 Alder Cir, Spanish Fort ($869,500, 5 bedrooms)
#17. Brook Highland
- Population: 7,147
- Median home value: $323,200 (42% own)
- Median rent: $1,029 (58% rent)
- Median household income: $57,184
- Top public schools: Spain Park High School (A+), Greystone Elementary School (A+), Berry Middle School (A+)
- Pictured: 3304 Brook Highland Cir, Birmingham ($625,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $323,200 (42% own)
- Median rent: $1,029 (58% rent)
- Median household income: $57,184
- Top public schools: Spain Park High School (A+), Greystone Elementary School (A+), Berry Middle School (A+)
- Pictured: 3304 Brook Highland Cir, Birmingham ($625,000, 5 bedrooms)
#16. Point Clear
- Population: 2,652
- Median home value: $508,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,048 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $56,556
- Top public schools: Fairhope High School (A), Fairhope Primary School (A), Fairhope Intermediate School (A-)
- Pictured: 16433 Scenic Highway 98, Fairhope ($4.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $508,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,048 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $56,556
- Top public schools: Fairhope High School (A), Fairhope Primary School (A), Fairhope Intermediate School (A-)
- Pictured: 16433 Scenic Highway 98, Fairhope ($4.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
#15. Meridianville
- Population: 7,087
- Median home value: $178,000 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,122 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $80,476
- Top public schools: Mt. Carmel Elementary School (A), Lynn Fanning Elementary School (A), Buckhorn Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: 101 Shangrila Way, Meridianville ($411,199, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $178,000 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,122 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $80,476
- Top public schools: Mt. Carmel Elementary School (A), Lynn Fanning Elementary School (A), Buckhorn Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: 101 Shangrila Way, Meridianville ($411,199, 4 bedrooms)
#14. Alabaster
- Population: 33,176
- Median home value: $173,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,088 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $80,072
- Top public schools: Calera Elementary School (A), Helena High School (A), Creek View Elementary (A-)
- Top private schools: Evangel Classical Christian School (A-), Westwood Baptist Weekday Education Ministry (unavailable), The Day Program (unavailable)
- Pictured: 231 Oakwood Dr, Alabaster ($815,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $173,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,088 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $80,072
- Top public schools: Calera Elementary School (A), Helena High School (A), Creek View Elementary (A-)
- Top private schools: Evangel Classical Christian School (A-), Westwood Baptist Weekday Education Ministry (unavailable), The Day Program (unavailable)
- Pictured: 231 Oakwood Dr, Alabaster ($815,000, 5 bedrooms)
#13. Chelsea
- Population: 13,098
- Median home value: $232,700 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,448 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $97,727
- Top public schools: Mt. Laurel Elementary School (A-), Chelsea Middle School (A-), Chelsea Park Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 5853 Highway 51, Chelsea ($999,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $232,700 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,448 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $97,727
- Top public schools: Mt. Laurel Elementary School (A-), Chelsea Middle School (A-), Chelsea Park Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 5853 Highway 51, Chelsea ($999,900, 4 bedrooms)
#12. Fairhope
- Population: 21,083
- Median home value: $299,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,196 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $75,197
- Top public schools: Fairhope High School (A), Fairhope Primary School (A), Daphne Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Eastern Shore Early Childhood Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: 16433 Scenic Highway 98, Fairhope ($4.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $299,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,196 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $75,197
- Top public schools: Fairhope High School (A), Fairhope Primary School (A), Daphne Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Eastern Shore Early Childhood Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: 16433 Scenic Highway 98, Fairhope ($4.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
#11. Auburn
- Population: 64,054
- Median home value: $266,200 (46% own)
- Median rent: $884 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $47,318
- Top public schools: Cary Woods Elementary School (A+), Dean Road Elementary School (A+), Richland Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Auburn University Early Learning Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: 127 S College St Unit 501, Auburn ($2.3 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $266,200 (46% own)
- Median rent: $884 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $47,318
- Top public schools: Cary Woods Elementary School (A+), Dean Road Elementary School (A+), Richland Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Auburn University Early Learning Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: 127 S College St Unit 501, Auburn ($2.3 million, 2 bedrooms)
#10. Helena
- Population: 18,463
- Median home value: $195,100 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,341 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $87,781
- Top public schools: Hoover High School (A+), Robert F. Bumpus Middle School (A+), Brock's Gap Intermediate School (A)
- Top private schools: Riverside Christian Academy (unavailable), Gospel Light Baptist Academy (unavailable), Primrose School of Riverwoods (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1 Environs Pkwy, Helena ($1.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $195,100 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,341 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $87,781
- Top public schools: Hoover High School (A+), Robert F. Bumpus Middle School (A+), Brock's Gap Intermediate School (A)
- Top private schools: Riverside Christian Academy (unavailable), Gospel Light Baptist Academy (unavailable), Primrose School of Riverwoods (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1 Environs Pkwy, Helena ($1.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
#9. Pelham
- Population: 23,428
- Median home value: $189,000 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,119 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $80,510
- Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Calera Elementary School (A), Helena High School (A)
- Top private schools: Hope Christian School (B-)
- Pictured: 219 Weatherly Way, Pelham ($854,900, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $189,000 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,119 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $80,510
- Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Calera Elementary School (A), Helena High School (A)
- Top private schools: Hope Christian School (B-)
- Pictured: 219 Weatherly Way, Pelham ($854,900, 6 bedrooms)
#8. Trussville
- Population: 21,876
- Median home value: $255,100 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,414 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $97,226
- Top public schools: Hewitt-Trussville High School (A), Magnolia Elementary School (A), Cahaba Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Noahs Park Weekday Early Education (unavailable)
- Pictured: 200 Morris Spring Ln, Trussville ($950,000, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $255,100 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,414 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $97,226
- Top public schools: Hewitt-Trussville High School (A), Magnolia Elementary School (A), Cahaba Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Noahs Park Weekday Early Education (unavailable)
- Pictured: 200 Morris Spring Ln, Trussville ($950,000, 8 bedrooms)
#7. Meadowbrook
- Population: 9,468
- Median home value: $299,200 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,406 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $109,650
- Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Inverness Elementary School (A), Oak Mt. Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (A+)
- Pictured: 5361 Meadow Brook Rd, Birmingham ($690,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $299,200 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,406 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $109,650
- Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Inverness Elementary School (A), Oak Mt. Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (A+)
- Pictured: 5361 Meadow Brook Rd, Birmingham ($690,000, 5 bedrooms)
#6. Mountain Brook
- Population: 20,436
- Median home value: $628,800 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,561 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $152,355
- Top public schools: Mt. Brook High School (A+), Mt. Brook Elementary School (A+), Mt. Brook Junior High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Highlands School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2963 Shook Hill Pkwy, Mountain Brook ($3.4 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $628,800 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,561 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $152,355
- Top public schools: Mt. Brook High School (A+), Mt. Brook Elementary School (A+), Mt. Brook Junior High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Highlands School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2963 Shook Hill Pkwy, Mountain Brook ($3.4 million, 6 bedrooms)
#5. Vestavia Hills
- Population: 34,307
- Median home value: $376,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,218 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $109,485
- Top public schools: Vestavia Hills High School (A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary School East (A+), Liberty Park Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Southminster Day School (unavailable), St. Mark United Methodist Kindergarten (unavailable), Ascension Episcopal Kindergarten (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1635 Woodridge Pl, Vestavia Hills ($1.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $376,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,218 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $109,485
- Top public schools: Vestavia Hills High School (A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary School East (A+), Liberty Park Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Southminster Day School (unavailable), St. Mark United Methodist Kindergarten (unavailable), Ascension Episcopal Kindergarten (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1635 Woodridge Pl, Vestavia Hills ($1.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
#4. Hoover
- Population: 85,175
- Median home value: $291,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,123 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $89,452
- Top public schools: Spain Park High School (A+), Hoover High School (A+), Riverchase Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Hoover Christian School (A), Prince of Peace Catholic School (A+), Riverchase United Methodist Day School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 4024 Greystone Dr, Hoover ($2.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $291,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,123 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $89,452
- Top public schools: Spain Park High School (A+), Hoover High School (A+), Riverchase Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Hoover Christian School (A), Prince of Peace Catholic School (A+), Riverchase United Methodist Day School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 4024 Greystone Dr, Hoover ($2.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
#3. Indian Springs Village
- Population: 2,549
- Median home value: $367,200 (95% own)
- Median rent: No data available (5% rent)
- Median household income: $119,091
- Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Inverness Elementary School (A), Oak Mt. Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (A+), Our Lady of the Valley School (unavailable), Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1071 Stagg Run Trl, Indian Springs Village ($1.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $367,200 (95% own)
- Median rent: No data available (5% rent)
- Median household income: $119,091
- Top public schools: Oak Mt. High School (A), Inverness Elementary School (A), Oak Mt. Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (A+), Our Lady of the Valley School (unavailable), Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1071 Stagg Run Trl, Indian Springs Village ($1.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
#2. Madison
- Population: 49,327
- Median home value: $253,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $946 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $99,188
- Top public schools: Bob Jones High School (A+), James Clemens High School (A+), Madison Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Madison Baptist Academy (A), St. John the Baptist Catholic School (unavailable), Primrose School of Madison (unavailable)
- Pictured: 337 St Louis St, Madison ($994,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $253,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $946 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $99,188
- Top public schools: Bob Jones High School (A+), James Clemens High School (A+), Madison Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Madison Baptist Academy (A), St. John the Baptist Catholic School (unavailable), Primrose School of Madison (unavailable)
- Pictured: 337 St Louis St, Madison ($994,000, 4 bedrooms)
#1. Homewood
- Population: 25,534
- Median home value: $347,800 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,112 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $84,157
- Top public schools: Homewood High School (A+), Homewood Middle School (A+), Hall Kent Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: John Carroll Catholic High School (A), Islamic Academy of Alabama (A-), Our Lady of Sorrows School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 119 Edgewood Blvd, Homewood ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $347,800 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,112 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $84,157
- Top public schools: Homewood High School (A+), Homewood Middle School (A+), Hall Kent Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: John Carroll Catholic High School (A), Islamic Academy of Alabama (A-), Our Lady of Sorrows School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 119 Edgewood Blvd, Homewood ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
