Best places to live in Alabama

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- Overall Rank: 1,484
- Population: 33,417
- Median household income: $89,423
- Median home value: $227,300 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,215 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Meadow View Elementary (grade A), Calera Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

#14. Alabaster, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 1,472
- Population: 21,036
- Median household income: $107,360
- Median home value: $275,600 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,287 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Spain Park High School (grade A+), Brock's Gap Intermediate School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

#13. Helena, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 105
- Population: 27,557
- Median household income: $97,366
- Median home value: $463,500 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,337 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Homewood High School (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

#12. Homewood, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 485
- Population: 91,995
- Median household income: $101,765
- Median home value: $366,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,352 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Brock's Gap Intermediate School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

#11. Hoover, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 896
- Population: 2,341
- Median household income: $135,114
- Median home value: $470,200 (97% own)
- Median rent: No data available (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

#10. Indian Springs Village, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 58
- Population: 56,967
- Median household income: $118,132
- Median home value: $327,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,201 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (grade A+), James Clemens High School (grade A+), Bob Jones 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)

#9. Madison, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 248
- Population: 9,338
- Median household income: $141,620
- Median home value: $362,000 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,536 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

#8. Meadowbrook, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 1,260
- Population: 22,259
- Median household income: $167,007
- Median home value: $803,000 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,521 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Mt. Brook High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

#7. Mountain Brook, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 1,045
- Population: 24,221
- Median household income: $94,108
- Median home value: $261,100 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,376 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

#6. Pelham, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 1,999
- Population: 10,083
- Median household income: $98,350
- Median home value: $290,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,229 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (grade A+), Spanish Fort Elementary School (grade A minus), Belforest Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. Paul's Episcopal School (grade A), UMS-Wright Preparatory School (grade A), Bayside Academy (grade A)

#5. Spanish Fort, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 2,264
- Population: 25,621
- Median household income: $118,028
- Median home value: $333,200 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,389 (7% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Magnolia Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Mountain View Baptist School (grade A)

#4. Trussville, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 618
- Population: 38,600
- Median household income: $127,582
- Median home value: $467,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,458 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Liberty Park Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

#3. Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

- Overall Rank: 2,042
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:

#2. Huntsville, Alabama
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- Overall Rank: 843
- Population: 76,660
- Median household income: $55,509
- Median home value: $327,000 (51% own)
- Median rent: $995 (49% rent)
- Top public schools: Cary Woods Elementary School (grade A+), Dean Road Elementary School (grade A+), Richland Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Southern Preparatory Academy (grade A), Lee-Scott Academy (grade A), Chambers Academy (grade C minus)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.

#1. Auburn, Alabama
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