Best suburbs in Birmingham

Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
Akarawut // Shutterstock
- Population: 13,455
- Median home value: $202,600
- Median rental price: $1,182

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Magnolia Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#14. Irondale, Alabama
Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock
- Population: 7,288
- Median home value: $188,800
- Median rental price: $942

- Top schools nearby: Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Park Middle School (grade A), Pelham Oaks Elementary School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Evangel Classical Christian School (grade A−), Cahawba Christian Academy (grade C), Chilton Christian Academy (grade C−)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#13. Montevallo, Alabama
Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
- Population: 16,644
- Median home value: $185,400
- Median rental price: $1,561

- Top schools nearby: Calera Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Thompson High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), Briarwood Christian School (grade A), The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#12. Calera, Alabama
A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock
- Population: 15,201
- Median home value: $295,100
- Median rental price: $1,486

- Top schools nearby: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Pelham Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Pelham Park Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), Briarwood Christian School (grade A), The Westminster School at Oak Mountain (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#11. Chelsea, Alabama
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
- Population: 8,008
- Median home value: $417,300
- Median rental price: $1,295

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#10. Brook Highland, Alabama
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
Laura Beach // Shutterstock
- Population: 25,621
- Median home value: $333,200
- Median rental price: $1,389

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Magnolia Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Mountain View Baptist School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#9. Trussville, Alabama
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
- Population: 33,417
- Median home value: $227,300
- Median rental price: $1,215

- Top schools nearby: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+), Meadow View Elementary (grade A), Calera Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#8. Alabaster, Alabama
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
- Population: 21,036
- Median home value: $275,600
- Median rental price: $1,287

- Top schools nearby: Spain Park High School (grade A+), Brock's Gap Intermediate School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#7. Helena, Alabama
A family playing soccer together.
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock
- Population: 22,259
- Median home value: $803,000
- Median rental price: $1,521

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Mt. Brook High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#6. Mountain Brook, Alabama
Happy young family sitting in a park.
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock
- Population: 24,221
- Median home value: $261,100
- Median rental price: $1,376

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#5. Pelham, Alabama
Happy family in backyard with dog.
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
- Population: 2,341
- Median home value: $470,200
- Median rental price: $No data available

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#4. Indian Springs Village, Alabama
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
F8 studio // Shutterstock
- Population: 38,600
- Median home value: $467,600
- Median rental price: $1,458

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Liberty Park Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#3. Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
FamVeld // Shutterstock
- Population: 9,338
- Median home value: $362,000
- Median rental price: $1,536

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+), Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A), Briarwood Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#2. Meadowbrook, Alabama
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
- Population: 27,557
- Median home value: $463,500
- Median rental price: $1,337

- Top schools nearby: Alabama School of Fine Arts (grade A+), Homewood High School (grade A+), Spain Park High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Indian Springs School (grade A+), The Altamont School (grade A+), John Carroll Catholic High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

#1. Homewood, Alabama
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock