Cheapest Places to Live in Alabama (2026)

Looking for the most affordable cities in Alabama? We ranked 16 Alabama cities by median home value. The cheapest is Prichard (~$63,000); the Alabama median is $204,000.

Most affordable cities in Alabama

Ranked by median home value, lowest first:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1Prichard$63,000$56
2Birmingham$104,000$100
3Montgomery$109,500$98
4Bessemer$172,000$124
5Dothan$190,000$143
6Phenix City$194,000$142
7Jasper$201,000$169
8Mobile$203,000$143
9Tuscaloosa$213,000$191
10Athens$257,000$174

Most expensive cities in Alabama

The priciest Alabama markets by median home value:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1Pike Road$443,000$192
2Madison$381,000$183
3Huntsville$343,500$169
4Pell City$329,000$168
5Northport$273,000$173
6Cullman$266,000$174
7Athens$257,000$174
8Tuscaloosa$213,000$191
9Mobile$203,000$143
10Jasper$201,000$169

How we rank Alabama cities

Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.

Explore all Alabama home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.

Alabama affordability: FAQ

What is the cheapest place to live in Alabama? +
Based on median home value, Prichard is among the most affordable cities in Alabama, with a typical home around $63,000 — well below the Alabama median of $204,000.
What is the most expensive city in Alabama? +
By median home value, Pike Road is among the priciest in Alabama, with a typical home around $443,000.
Is Alabama an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Alabama is about $204,000 (31% more affordable than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $63,000 to $443,000.