Arina P Habich // Shutterstock
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.
You may also like:
The most popular poker players in Alabama
#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)
You may also like:
Best-performing Alabama stocks last week
#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)
You may also like:
Best public high schools in Alabama
#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)
You may also like:
Counties with the highest cancer rates in Alabama
#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)
You may also like:
Best counties to live in Alabama