Best counties to live in Alabama

- Overall Rank: 1,353
- Population: 58,849
- Median household income: $47,420
- Median home value: $141,900 (61% own)
- Median rent: $908 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Sherwood Elementary School (grade A minus), Central High School (grade B), Mt. Olive Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Phenix Christian School (grade unavailable), Teen University (grade unavailable), Mother Mary School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Phenix City (grade B), Ladonia (grade B minus), Hurtsboro (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 1,249
- Population: 81,105
- Median household income: $52,457
- Median home value: $131,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $750 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Oxford Middle School (grade A minus), Fayetteville High School (grade B+), Munford Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: First United Methodist Kindergarten & Daycare (grade unavailable), Knollwood Christian School (grade unavailable), Hope Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Oak Grove (grade B), Sylacauga (grade B minus), Childersburg (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 1,149
- Population: 15,434
- Median household income: $51,184
- Median home value: $138,100 (88% own)
- Median rent: $698 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Millry High School (grade B+), Chatom Elementary School (grade B), Fruitdale High School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Leroy (grade A minus), McIntosh (grade A minus), Chatom (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 1,105
- Population: 57,270
- Median household income: $56,149
- Median home value: $148,500 (71% own)
- Median rent: $810 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: McBride Elementary School (grade A), Muscle Shoals Middle School (grade A), Muscle Shoals High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Covenant Christian School (grade B+)
- Top places: Muscle Shoals (grade A), Tuscumbia (grade B+), Sheffield (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 1,095
- Population: 71,680
- Median household income: $47,920
- Median home value: $129,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $684 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Plainview School (grade A minus), Sylvania School (grade A minus), Fyffe High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Cornerstone Christian Academy (grade C minus), Beth Haven Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Fort Payne (grade B), Rainsville (grade B+), Sylvania (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 1,074
- Population: 41,251
- Median household income: $53,282
- Median home value: $127,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $701 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Horseshoe Bend High School (grade B), William L. Radney Elementary School (grade B), Reeltown Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Southern Preparatory Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Alexander City (grade B), Tallassee (grade B minus), Daviston (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 1,047
- Population: 103,348
- Median household income: $52,177
- Median home value: $148,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $779 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Eura Brown Elementary School (grade A minus), John S. Jones Elementary School (grade B+), Whitesboro Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Westbrook Christian School (grade B), Coosa Christian School (grade C), St. James Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Rainbow City (grade B+), Glencoe (grade B+), Southside (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 956
- Population: 228,132
- Median household income: $56,707
- Median home value: $151,300 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,028 (43% 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)
- Top places: Pike Road (grade A minus), Montgomery (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 758
- Population: 37,542
- Median household income: $48,772
- Median home value: $124,300 (75% own)
- Median rent: $701 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: South Highlands Elementary School (grade A minus), Andalusia High School (grade A minus), Straughn Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Andalusia (grade B+), Opp (grade B), Carolina (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 713
- Population: 97,923
- Median household income: $58,272
- Median home value: $165,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $746 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Arab Elementary School (grade A), Arab Junior High School (grade A minus), Brindlee Mountain Primary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Marshall Christian Academy (grade C+), Grace Classical Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Guntersville (grade B+), Albertville (grade B+), Arab (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 702
- Population: 413,878
- Median household income: $55,352
- Median home value: $164,600 (63% own)
- Median rent: $973 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (grade A+), Saraland Elementary School (grade A), Saraland Middle/Nelson Adams (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Paul's Episcopal School (grade A), UMS-Wright Preparatory School (grade A), McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (grade A)
- Top places: Satsuma (grade A minus), Saraland (grade B+), Mobile (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 648
- Population: 19,180
- Median household income: $42,975
- Median home value: $98,600 (68% own)
- Median rent: $702 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Sweet Water High School (grade A), Demopolis High School (grade B+), U.S. Jones Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Demopolis (grade B+), Sweet Water (grade B+), Thomaston (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 634
- Population: 123,102
- Median household income: $61,588
- Median home value: $174,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $791 (27% 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), Bethel Baptist School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Hartselle (grade A), Priceville (grade A minus), Decatur (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 600
- Population: 13,205
- Median household income: $48,557
- Median home value: $100,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $595 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Brantley High School (grade B+), Highland Home High School (grade B+), Luverne High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Crenshaw Christian Academy (grade C+)
- Top places: Luverne (grade A minus), Brantley (grade B), Dozier (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 596
- Population: 17,282
- Median household income: $58,395
- Median home value: $132,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $678 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Headland Elementary School (grade B+), Headland Middle School (grade B), Abbeville High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Abbeville Christian Academy (grade B minus)
- Top places: Headland (grade A), Abbeville (grade B), Newville (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 572
- Population: 53,559
- Median household income: $62,199
- Median home value: $162,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $921 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Dauphin Junior High School (grade A), Enterprise High School (grade A), Hillcrest Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Wiregrass Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Enterprise (grade A minus), New Brockton (grade B+), Elba (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 539
- Population: 49,455
- Median household income: $52,813
- Median home value: $123,800 (60% own)
- Median rent: $829 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: George W. Long High School (grade A), Ariton School (grade A minus), Newton Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Harvest Christian School (grade B+), Fort Rucker Child Development Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Newton (grade B), Daleville (grade B), Ozark (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 455
- Population: 672,265
- Median household income: $63,595
- Median home value: $208,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,086 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Homewood High School (grade A+), Mt. Brook High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Mountain View Baptist School (grade A)
- Top places: Homewood (grade A+), Hoover (grade A+), Vestavia Hills (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 446
- Population: 116,162
- Median household income: $54,339
- Median home value: $140,500 (71% own)
- Median rent: $806 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Piedmont Middle School (grade A minus), De Armanville Elementary School (grade A minus), Piedmont Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Donoho School (grade A), Faith Christian School (grade A minus), Trinity Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Oxford (grade A), Weaver (grade A minus), Jacksonville (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 431
- Population: 107,040
- Median household income: $55,064
- Median home value: $164,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $858 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Wicksburg High School (grade A minus), Rehobeth Elementary School (grade A minus), Rehobeth High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Providence Christian School (grade A+), Houston Academy (grade A), Emmanuel Christian School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Taylor (grade B+), Dothan (grade B+), Rehobeth (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 420
- Population: 32,997
- Median household income: $42,616
- Median home value: $144,500 (63% own)
- Median rent: $750 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Pike County High School (grade B+), Goshen High School (grade B+), Banks School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Pike Liberal Arts School (grade B+), New Life Christian Academy (grade B+), Covenant Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Troy (grade B), Brundidge (grade B), Banks (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 417
- Population: 58,761
- Median household income: $68,315
- Median home value: $191,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,199 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Daniel Pratt Elementary School (grade A minus), Prattville High School (grade B+), Prattville Junior High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Autauga Academy (grade B), Camellia Baptist Weekday Education Ministry (WEM) (grade unavailable), First Baptist Kindergarten (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Prattville (grade A), Pine Level (grade B), Marbury (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 391
- Population: 94,329
- Median household income: $56,081
- Median home value: $174,800 (68% own)
- Median rent: $773 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Kilby Laboratory School (grade A), Forest Hills School (grade A), Florence High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Shoals Christian School (grade A minus), Mars Hill Bible School (grade B+), St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Florence (grade A), Killen (grade B+), Rogersville (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 359
- Population: 87,694
- Median household income: $73,258
- Median home value: $200,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $982 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Holtville Middle School (grade A minus), Holtville Elementary School (grade A minus), Millbrook Middle Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Prattville Christian Academy (grade A minus), Edgewood Academy (grade B+), New Life Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Blue Ridge (grade A), Deatsville (grade A minus), Millbrook (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 318
- Population: 233,420
- Median household income: $71,039
- Median home value: $266,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,160 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Fairhope High School (grade A), Fairhope Middle School (grade A), Spanish Fort Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Bayside Academy (grade A), Bayshore Christian School (grade A minus), St Michael Catholic High School (grade B+)
- Top places: Spanish Fort (grade A), Point Clear (grade A), Fairhope (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 310
- Population: 231,558
- Median household income: $61,645
- Median home value: $218,800 (62% own)
- Median rent: $974 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Middle School (grade A minus), Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Elementary School (grade A minus), Northridge High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Capitol School (grade A), Tuscaloosa Academy (grade A), Holy Spirit Catholic School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Northport (grade A minus), Tuscaloosa (grade B+), Cottondale (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 235
- Population: 104,199
- Median household income: $80,146
- Median home value: $229,400 (78% own)
- Median rent: $861 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: James Clemens High School (grade A+), Brookhill Elementary School (grade A), Julian Newman Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lindsay Lane Christian Academy (grade A minus), Athens Bible School (grade C)
- Top places: Athens (grade A minus), Elkmont (grade B), Ardmore (grade C+)

- Overall Rank: 52
- Population: 175,126
- Median household income: $59,288
- Median home value: $224,400 (65% own)
- Median rent: $953 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Cary Woods Elementary School (grade A+), Dean Road Elementary School (grade A+), Richland Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lee-Scott Academy (grade A), Glenwood School (grade B+), The Chanticleer Learning Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Auburn (grade A+), Opelika (grade A), Smiths Station (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 26
- Population: 223,916
- Median household income: $90,618
- Median home value: $276,500 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,272 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Spain Park High School (grade A+), Robert F. Bumpus Middle School (grade A+), Greystone Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (grade A), Evangel Classical Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Meadowbrook (grade A+), Indian Springs Village (grade A+), Pelham (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 8
- Population: 389,781
- Median household income: $78,058
- Median home value: $242,900 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,043 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (grade A+), Bob Jones High School (grade A+), New Century Technology 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)
- Top places: Madison (grade A+), Huntsville (grade A), Meridianville (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.