Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers in Alabama (2026 Rankings)

Buying your first home is a big step. We ranked 25 neighborhoods in Alabama by affordability index to help first-time buyers find areas where homeownership is within reach. Scores above 100 mean housing is more affordable than average.

SheffieldAL

Kurby Score: 71

Affordability Index: 236

Home Value: $120,700

Median Income: $39,666

Homeownership: 94.0%

Meadowbrook CDPMeadowbrook CDP, AL

Kurby Score: 75

Affordability Index: 236

Home Value: $362,000

Median Income: $141,620

Homeownership: 94.0%

AndalusiaAL

Kurby Score: 69

Affordability Index: 236

Home Value: $140,400

Median Income: $44,196

Homeownership: 94.0%

Meridianville CDPMeridianville CDP, AL

Kurby Score: 73

Affordability Index: 236

Home Value: $251,400

Median Income: $92,443

Homeownership: 94.0%

ClantonAL

Kurby Score: 71

Affordability Index: 236

Home Value: $181,700

Median Income: $48,566

Homeownership: 94.0%

Forestdale CDPForestdale CDP, AL

Kurby Score: 71

Affordability Index: 236

Home Value: $149,000

Median Income: $62,908

Homeownership: 94.0%

MoodyAL

Kurby Score: 73

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $214,000

Median Income: $77,680

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

PrattvilleAL

Kurby Score: 74

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $196,300

Median Income: $76,176

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

TrussvilleAL

Kurby Score: 68

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $333,200

Median Income: $118,028

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

Vestavia HillsAL

Kurby Score: 68

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $467,600

Median Income: $127,582

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

MadisonAL

Kurby Score: 75

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $327,100

Median Income: $118,132

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

Fort PayneAL

Kurby Score: 70

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $145,600

Median Income: $44,549

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

TuscaloosaAL

Kurby Score: 69

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $228,300

Median Income: $47,257

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

CullmanAL

Kurby Score: 66

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $200,900

Median Income: $59,982

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

DecaturAL

Kurby Score: 72

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $170,000

Median Income: $55,164

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

Gulf ShoresAL

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $331,300

Median Income: $62,021

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

Pike RoadAL

Kurby Score: 75

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $355,700

Median Income: $119,928

Homeownership: 91.0%

FairfieldAL

Kurby Score: 70

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $117,400

Median Income: $45,646

Homeownership: 91.0%

Pleasant GroveAL

Kurby Score: 73

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $173,100

Median Income: $72,917

Homeownership: 91.0%

SouthsideAL

Kurby Score: 74

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $187,300

Median Income: $70,843

Homeownership: 91.0%

NorthportAL

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $239,800

Median Income: $72,286

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

DothanAL

Kurby Score: 72

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $175,900

Median Income: $53,704

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

TalladegaAL

Kurby Score: 60

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $99,900

Median Income: $37,945

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

HomewoodAL

Kurby Score: 73

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $463,500

Median Income: $97,366

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

HooverAL

Kurby Score: 74

Affordability Index: 219

Home Value: $366,200

Median Income: $101,765

Property Tax: $384/yr

Homeownership: 91.0%

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ranked by lowest median rent

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ranked by walkability score

Greenest Neighborhoods in Alabama

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Most Populated Neighborhoods in Alabama

ranked by population

Lowest Poverty Rate Neighborhoods in Alabama

ranked by lowest poverty rate

Highest Home Value Neighborhoods in Alabama

ranked by median home value

Most Affordable Housing Neighborhoods in Alabama

ranked by lowest median home value

Safest Neighborhoods (Low Property Crime) in Alabama

ranked by lowest property crime rates

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