Are you considering moving to Alabama?
The Yellowhammer State is currently one of the fastest-growing states in the country. The reason for that is simple.
Alabama is one of the states with the lowest costs of living in the country. The state’s housing market and rental market are below the national average in terms of costs.
If you’d like to live in a state where unemployment rates are lower than the national average, with more sunny days throughout the year, and with a shorter commuting time, moving to Alabama is right for you.
Alabama’s median age is 38 making it a state of Millenials and one of the best states for young families. If you’re mulling over moving to Alabama and wondering if the state is right for you or not, this guide contains key information about the state to help you make the right decision.
A quick look at the population and other demographics of Alabama.
The population of Alabama is 510 million people. The Heart of Dixie state stretches across 52,420 square miles. Since you’re considering moving to Alabama, here’s a breakdown of the state’s population:
Alabama’s average one-way commute time is 24.6 minutes. The national average is 26.4 minutes. Moving to Alabama most likely means spending less time on the road with less stress which means a longer lifespan. Since you’re considering moving to Alabama, here’s how people in the state commute to work:
Here’s how people in the Granite State commute to work:
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Alabama gets 213 sunny days in a year on average. The national average is 205 sunny days in a year. If you’re moving to Alabama, you’ll most likely be interested in the state’s weather. Here’s a quick summary of Alabama’s weather to give you an idea of what to expect:
You may have heard of many good things about Alabama. However, moving to Alabama is not always a ‘perfect life. The Yellowhammer State has got its downfalls which probably most people won’t tell you, such as some of their phrases are insults and there are cockroaches all over the state. We’ve collated a few for you.
Alabama is not just rich in history but the legacy of music is also strong in the Yellowhammer State. The state also boasts of a wide range of cuisines, including never-ending craft beer options and unlimited festivals celebrated around the year. In addition, the economy is ever-growing and more jobs are available than in most neighboring states.
Here are 8 things you need to know before you move to Alabama.
When you consider the low population, low crime rate, booming economy, cool climate, and unlimited outdoor fun options, Alabama is a desirable place to live.
While thinking about moving to Alabama, the first question would be – where to live in Alabama? Since there are many places to start a family in Alabama, picking out the best would be a tough task. To help you, we’ve picked up the 10 best places to live in Alabama.
Here are they:
There are several reasons why you should consider moving to Alabama.
The state is appealing to many people for various reasons. If you’re considering moving to Alabama, here are the top ten reasons why people have been moving to the Yellowhammer state:
Alabama has the 4th hottest summer in the US and those who hate chilling winters can seriously think about moving here. The temperatures average over 90 °F throughout the summer in most of the state but in the extreme south, winds from the Gulf of Mexico tempers it down to a little.
The people in Alabama are the most football-crazed in the US. Recent studies prove that the Yellowhammer state spends more time discussing football on social media or outside than the neighboring states and for them, the battle on the turf is a major part of the culture.
Alabama is one of the richest states in the US with great investments in automobile, aerospace, education, healthcare, banking, heavy industries, and metal extraction. And despite the economy facing a backlash worldwide, Alabama recorded growth in 2020-2023, adding up more jobs. Even tourism is booming in Alabama, opening up more job opportunities.
Alabama records the 7th lowest cost of living in the US. The housing index in the state is 70.2. The median home price is $129,300, and the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $772 per month. The livable wage in Alabama is $45,824, and the median household income is $48,486. Read more about Alabama cost of living
Despite being the 30th largest state in the US, Alabama records a low population which means it is one of the least crowded states in the country. Alabama has just 99 people per square mile, which promises better ownership of state resources.
You can own a home in Alabama by spending $129,300 which is lower than the national average of $231,200. Even the average rent is lower than the national average. The average rent in Alabama is $1,050. With an average apartment size of 1,397 square feet, the average price per square foot in Alabama is $0.752.
Alabama has over 1,541 individual schools for 743,364 elementary and secondary students. There are also 17 private, undergraduate, and graduate universities in the state. The public primary and secondary education in Alabama is under Alabama State Board of Education and the state has top-notch colleges and schools.
The Yellowhammer State is famous for its pretty landscapes and has an edge over neighboring states for serene and scenic surroundings. From diverse landscapes ranging from mountains and farmland to rivers and coastlines, Alabama boasts of the most picturesque towns and villages in the South.
The average one-way commute time in Alabama is 24.6 minutes, which is less than the national average of 26.4 minutes. And this means you spend less time on the road.
Fabulous mountains and breathtaking white sandy beaches make Alabama a paradise of beauty. Highly scenic, Alabama promises a laid-back life for both residents and visitors alike.
Here are some of the best beaches and mountains in Alabama:
Great food, beaches, mountains, and an economy that is ever booming – Alabama has got reasons to call the new home.
The Yellowhammer state has a rich past, active present, and a bright future that’s sure to keep folks seriously thinking about moving here. However, Alabama has also got reasons to not move in. You need to weigh both the positives and negatives of living in Alabama before taking the final call. We have compiled the honest pros and cons of living in Alabama to help you make the right decision.
Here’s our list of the pros and cons of living in the Yellowhammer state since you’re considering moving to Alabama.
Pros of living in Alabama | Cons of living in Alabama |
---|---|
You will love the food in Alabama | Be on the lookout for cockroaches |
Access to beautiful 60 miles of beaches along the Gulf Coast | Some places aren’t open on Sunday in Alabama |
There are lots of fun festivals to enjoy in Alabama | Some of their kind phrases are actually insults |
Alabama is rich in history | The weather can easily take a bad turn |
You’ll find some remarkable beer options in Alabama | You’ll have to put up with tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama |
College football is a religion in Alabama | Getting beer isn’t that easy in Alabama |
You can barbecue just about any food in Alabama | Some Alabama counties have banned the sale of alcohol |
Alabama is a great place for military veterans | The state authorities in Alabama are corrupt |
Alabama is home to deep musical roots | There are high poverty rates in Alabama |
There are top-quality educational opportunities in Alabama | Some of the public schools in Alabama are known for poor quality |
Low housing costs | You’ll have to put up with many socially conservative people in Alabama |
Alabama is home to several beautiful cities that are suitable for families, single adults, retirees, and the likes. If you’d like to live in some of the best places in the state, moving to Alabama will be a great idea. Here are the ten best places to live in Alabama:
Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Madison | 49,327 | 3.8% | $253,000 |
2 | Mountain Brook | 20,436 | 1.7% | $628,800 |
3 | Homewood | 25,534 | 2.7% | $347,800 |
4 | Vestavia Hills | 34,307 | 2.0% | $376,200 |
5 | Fairhope | 21,083 | 4.6% | $299,200 |
6 | Pike Road | 9,320 | 2.5% | $300,000 |
7 | Daphne | 25,901 | 3.4% | $201,400 |
8 | Orange Beach | 6,019 | 3.7% | $297,800 |
9 | Muscle Shoals | 14,103 | 3.5% | $147,100 |
10 | Millbrook | 15,645 | 3.0% | $154,300 |
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The cost of living in Alabama is rated 82.3. The United States average is 100.
That means Alabama’s cost of living is lower than the national average. Since you’re considering moving to Alabama, here’s the average cost of living in the state:
Cost of Living | Alabama | United States |
---|---|---|
Overall | 82.3 | 100 |
Grocery | 94.4 | 100 |
Health | 102.2 | 100 |
Housing | 55.9 | 100 |
Median Home Cost | $129,300 | $231,200 |
Utilities | 101.2 | 100 |
Transportation | 85.9 | 100 |
Miscellaneous | 94.5 | 100 |
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START MY QUOTEAlabama’s median home cost is $129,300 which is lower than the national average of $231,200. Buying a home can be one of the best housing options if you’re moving to Alabama. Over the last 10 years, the value of homes in Alabama has increased by 13.7%. Currently, home prices have risen by 6.9%.
There are several housing options to choose from if you’re moving to Alabama. One of such options is renting a home or an apartment. About 25.9% of the Alabama population are renters and up to 3.0% of homes and apartments in the state are available to rent. Here’s the average cost of home rental in the state if you’re moving to Alabama:
Alabama has a booming job market with an unemployment rate that is lower than the national average.
That means getting a job after moving to Alabama is fairly easy. Here’s a breakdown of the job market in the state if you’re moving to Alabama:
Employment Information | Alabama | United States |
---|---|---|
The income per Cap | $25,746 | $31,177 |
Household Income | $46,472 | $57,652 |
Unemployment Rate | 3.4 | 6.0 |
Recent Job Growth | -3.24% | -6.18% |
Future Job Growth | 32.42% | 33.51% |
You may be interested in getting a new job after moving to Alabama. The state’s average pay could be different from where you’re moving from. Check out a breakdown of the average pay in the state since you’re considering moving to Alabama:
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START MY QUOTEThe top career options in Alabama are also the highest-paying jobs in the state. Moving to Alabama could mean taking a shot at one of the top career options in the state. We’ve made a list of the top career options in the state since you’re considering moving to Alabama:
Rank | Job Title | AVERAGE SALARY | ENTRY LEVEL SALARY | # OF PEOPLE |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Obstetricians And Gynecologists | $269,920 | $171,080 | 80 |
2 | Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists | $265,650 | $145,310 | 430 |
3 | Anesthesiologists | $264,480 | $145,670 | 200 |
4 | Family Medicine Physicians | $227,770 | $116,130 | 780 |
5 | Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $213,410 | $59,390 | 4,260 |
6 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $210,300 | $82,160 | 160 |
7 | Psychiatrists | $179,810 | $69,230 | 380 |
8 | Chief Executives | $174,910 | $49,480 | 1,160 |
9 | Dentists, General | $172,050 | $94,290 | 1,320 |
10 | Nurse Anesthetists | $170,560 | $93,200 | 1,410 |
Alabama’s economy is powered by several top industries. Some of these industries are also some of the largest in the country. Moving to Alabama could mean getting a chance to be a part of these industries. Here are the largest industries in Alabama if you’re moving to the state:
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Depending on where you’re moving from, you may end up paying higher or lower taxes by moving to Alabama.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a breakdown of the key taxes in Alabama:
Moving to Alabama means you’ll get the chance to see or do so many exciting things.
More so, Alabama is home to several remarkable attractions, and moving to the Yellowhammer state gives you the chance to see as many as you can. Here are some of the best things to do in the state if you’re moving to Alabama:
The world’s largest space museum exhibits more than 1,500 permanent rocketry and space exploration artifacts, which include rockets, engines, spacecraft, and simulators. Operated by the Government of Alabama, the museum is also the center for bus tours to nearby NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Robert Trent Jones designed a collection of championship golf courses across Alabama. Initially, the Trail had 378 holes but now there are 468 holes around 11 sites.
A zoological park with 550 animals of 195 species, Birmingham Zoo also hosts different activities for visitors, such as a sea lion show. The animals in the zoo include sea lions, zebras, rhinos, and many endangered species from 6 continents.
A military history park and museum, Battleship Memorial Park houses many aircraft and museum ships including USS Alabama and USS Drum, both National Historic Landmarks. There are gift shops, snack bars, picnic spots, and fishing areas for entertainment.
A science museum and archive, McWane Science Center has an aquarium and an IMAX Dome Theater. The aquarium has 50 species of marine and freshwater aquatic life including small sharks. Visitors to the museum can also view a shark tooth through a microscope.
Alabama’s beautiful beaches are famous for white sand and you cannot escape from their charm while in Alabama. There are a lot of activities to indulge in, including fishing, boating, trying different delicacies at some of the good restaurants.
The 112-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden with grassy meadows to woodland paths and aquatic habitats to stunning floral collections is worth exploring in Huntsville, Alabama. It also homes the largest open-air butterfly house in the US. Apart from offering the cool serenity of nature, the garden also hosts multiple exhibits and programs year round.
The 2,800-acre public park got its name from Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state that is inside the park. There are numerous structures including a stone bathhouse, eleven stone cabins, two stone pavilions, Bunker Tower, and the Bald Rock Group Lodge inside the park along with many trailing points.
The 750-acre park has camping, hiking trails, biking trails, and a golf course. Open year-round, the park borders the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Along with an ice skating complex, the park homes a wave pool, Olympic-size diving pool, water slides, and kiddie pools.
The institute has multimedia exhibitions focusing on the history of African-American life and the struggle for civil rights in the US in the 1950s and 1960s. Opened in 1992, the institute has 25,000 visitors every week.
Situated in downtown Mobile, the Mobile History Museum has over 117,000 objects displaying the rich, diverse, and often turbulent histories of Mobile and the surrounding area.
The museum focuses on the history of football in Alabama with special emphasis on the legendary coach Bear Bryant. There are hundreds of photographs, uniforms, and sports memorabilia on display along with videos of Bama coaches, players, and unforgettable plays.
The about hundred-year-old Alabama theater in Birmingham can seat up to 2,500 people and was once the largest in the Birmingham Theatre district. The theater was built during the silent film era, the theater was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in1977, and the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Toomer’s Corner at Auburn is a landmark of the city since 1896 and is the destination for thousands of revelers who engage in the long-standing tradition of “rolling Toomer’s Corner;” a celebration occurring after every significant Auburn sports victory.
How safe are the neighborhoods, towns, and cities of the Heart of Dixie state if you’re moving to Alabama? Since safety is always a top priority before moving to any state, we’ve collated key stats about the state’s crime rates to help you decide if moving to Alabama is right for you or not.
Moving to Alabama means you’ll be interested in the safest cities in the state. We’ve made a list of the top ten cities in Alabama to make it easier for you to narrow down your house-hunting efforts:
Rank | City | Population | Violent Crimes Per 100k | Property Crimes Per 100k |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rainbow City, AL | 9,546 | 10 | 523 |
2 | Mountain Brook, AL | 20,373 | 78 | 1,119 |
3 | Vestavia Hills, AL | 34,368 | 87 | 1,265 |
4 | Daleville, AL | 5,096 | 156 | 1,098 |
5 | Southside, AL | 8,774 | 170 | 740 |
6 | Pleasant Grove, AL | 10,105 | 158 | 1,256 |
7 | Pelham, AL | 23,785 | 151 | 1,698 |
8 | Glencoe, AL | 5,151 | 155 | 1,688 |
9 | Daphne, AL | 26,618 | 135 | 1,739 |
10 | Satsuma, AL | 6,153 | 260 | 1,251 |
If you’re moving to Alabama, you may be interested in some of the best schools in the state.
We’ve made a list of the best universities, colleges, and elementary to high schools in the state. If you have school-age kids who are moving with you to Alabama, this can help you decide the best places to stay in the state.
ClarkShaw Magnet School
Mobile County, Public, 5-8 | 787 students, Rating: 10/10
MacMillan International at McKee
Montgomery County, Public, K-5 | 371 students, Rating: 10/10
Mt Carmel Elementary School
Madison County, Public, PK-3 | 548 students, Rating: 10/10
EicholdMertz School of Math and Science
Mobile County, Public, PK-5 | 524 students, Rating: 10/10
W H Council Traditional School
Mobile County, Public, PK-5 | 673 students, Rating: 10/10
ClarkShaw Magnet School
Mobile County, Public, 5-8 | 787 students, Rating: 10/10
Baldwin County Virtual School
Baldwin County, Public, 7-12 | 287 students, Rating: 10/10
Carver Magnet School
Dothan City, Public, 6-8 | 411 students, Rating: 10/10
Phillips Preparatory Middle School
Mobile County, Public, 6-8 | 755 students, Rating: 10/10
Floyd Middle School
Montgomery County, Public, 6-8 | 505 students, Rating: 10/10
Booker T Washington Magnet High School
Montgomery County, Public, 9-12 | 403 students, Rating: 10/10
Mountain Brook High School
Mountain Brook City, Public, 10-12 | 1059 students, Rating: 10/10
Oak Mountain High School
Shelby County, Public, 9-12 | 1552 students, Rating: 10/10
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
Montgomery County, Public, 9-12 | 513 students, Rating: 10/10
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School
Montgomery County, Public, 9-12 | 539 students, Rating: 10/10
The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, AL
The University of Alabama in Huntsville - Huntsville, AL
Auburn University - Auburn, AL
Athens State University - Athens, AL
University of Montevallo - Montevallo, AL
University of South Alabama - Mobile, AL
The University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham, AL
Jacksonville State University - Jacksonville, AL
Samford University - Birmingham, AL
University of North Alabama - Florence, AL
Alabama has a moderate climate and the cost of living is lower despite a strong economy. The state has a strong dining and sports culture and in addition, the long white shore beaches add more charm.
Montgomery is ranked by many agencies as the best city to live in in Alabama. The capital city with plenty of activities and attractions is also a prominent healthcare center with many hospitals. The climate is good and there are many restaurants serving delicious southern food.
If you are keen to live in a state with a rich history, plenty of open spaces, unlimited entertainment options, and an affordable cost of living, Alabama is a good state to move to. The state also ranks high in healthcare and education.
A big negative about Alabama is the crime rate. The state ranks high in crime and both violent and property crimes are higher than the national average. The high poverty rate is another major concern that directly impacts the safety of the residents.
The weather is unpredictable in Alabama. Tornadoes may hit here many times a year and unexpected ice storms can disrupt normal life for days in winter. In addition, mosquito bites are severe in most parts of Alabama. Safety is another factor that makes people relocate as the crime rate is extremely high.
Alabama is racially diverse and it cannot be called both a White and Black state. While White forms 65% of the residents, 25.9% are Blacks. Hispanic or Latino form 4.8% of the population in Alabama.
Rainbow City is the safest place in Alabama as the crime rate is extremely low here. The violent crime rate is just 0.1 against the national average of 3.7. Similarly, property crimes are just 5.24 against the national average of 22.
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