The Biggest Cities in Alabama & Why You Should Move There

Alabama has a lot to offer outside of Southern charm. It’s mired in history and culture, and has some of the country’s most affordable home prices and lowest costs of living.

 The biggest cities have the most to offer. If you’re considering moving to The Heart of Dixie check out Birmingham homes for sale or places to settle in Mobile.  Afterall, Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery are all listed in the top 150 for best places to live in the United States, according to the latest edition of U.S. News and World Report’s annual list.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a great place for both young professionals just starting out or established families. It’s great for employment opportunities, and boasts a 2.7% unemployment rate. The cost of living is 18% lower than the national average, making this an affordable place to live.

Those who love art and history can indulge themselves in the Birmingham Museum of Art, Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, and Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

You can also visit Vulcan Park and Museum for its beautiful green space and the world’s largest cast-iron statue, or hike Rufner Mountain.

There’s much to see and do, whether you’re venturing out solo or with your loved ones.

Montgomery

If you are looking for a city that’s budget-friendly, Montgomery is a good place to call home.

The cost of living in Montgomery is 11% lower than the national average, and the cost of housing is 30% lower than the national average. The median home price is $116,600 and median rent will run you $827.

Those looking for higher education opportunities – either as a student or employee – can turn to Alabama State University, Faulkner University, and Huntingdon College.

Montgomery Riverfront Walk is a hub of things to do, from the Riverwalk Stadium where you can watch the Montgomery biscuits play ball to the Riverwalk Amphitheater where you can catch a show.

Huntsville

This is a great city to migrate to if you’re looking for a job in the tech industry. Since the early days of the space age in the ‘50s and ’60s, engineers have flocked to Rocket City to join the teams at NASA, McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing. More recently, Huntsville has attracted Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ space venture, Blue Origin. Google and Facebook also have data centers here. 

Huntsville location is also desirable. It’s 90 minutes from Nashville and Birmingham; a little over 3 hours from Atlanta, Memphis and Knoxville; ands only five and a half hoursfrom Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Destin.

Mobile

Though it’s a city, Mobile leaves the hustle and bustle behind in favor of a more easeful pace of life.

 Mobile is also one of the most diverse cities in the state. It also boasts a school system in which both test scores and high school graduation rates are above the national average. There are also many highly rated private schools in the area.

 One of the major draws of Mobile is its cost of living. A home in Mobile costs nearly half the price of the national median.