10 Best Places to Live in Alabama : Top Cities & Towns Ranked

Did you know that Mobile in Alabama, not New Orleans, had the first Mardi Gras, a vibrant festival with parades, music, and colorful costumes? Alabama might surprise you. It’s where you can tailgate at a top-tier football game, hike a mountain before lunch, and still live in the best places in Alabama. 

From Birmingham’s food truck-lined blocks to Tuscaloosa’s college-town energy and Mobile’s coastal chill, each city brings its own vibe. Whether you're after quiet study spots or weekend adventures, the best places to live in Alabama are more than affordable—they’re kind of underrated gems.

10 Best Places To Live In Alabama 

Here are the 10 safest and most student-friendly places to live in Alabama:

1. University Heights, Birmingham

Average Rent: $1,032/month

Crime Rate: 43.1/1,000 residents

University Heights is a relaxed neighborhood with always something happening nearby. It houses the infamous University of Alabama, famous for its MHA course. You’ll find simple, cozy places to eat, like Al’s Deli & Grill, or unwind at The Red Cat with a coffee. 

The Birmingham Museum of Art and the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) regularly host student-friendly exhibits. It’s arguably the best neighborhood in Birmingham AL for those who want convenient student housing in Birmingham. 

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: The Red Cat, Al's Deli & Grill, Brick & Tin
• Libraries & Study Spots: Lister Hill Library, Sterne Library
• Colleges: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

2. Five Points South, Birmingham

Average Rent: $1,513/month

Crime Rate: 143.1/1000 residents

Five Points South has a quirky vibe and older buildings full of character, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Birmingham AL, if you love art, music, and nightlife. It’s just a short ride from UAB and filled with local eats, coffee shops, and music venues like Zydeco and The Nick. 

Art lovers can stop by AEIVA or browse through Space One Eleven’s gallery space. Students love the walkability, and there’s always something happening, from live music to food truck rallies. 

The mix of culture and convenience makes it a standout among the best neighborhoods Birmingham AL has to offer.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: Filter Coffee Parlor, Ocean, Surin West
• Libraries & Study Spots: Avondale Library, Forge Workspace
• Colleges: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

3. Cloverdale, Montgomery

Average Rent: $1,902/month

Crime Rate: 6.718/1000 residents

Cloverdale feels like a small town inside the city, with tree-lined streets and historic homes. It’s popular with students from Huntingdon College and Alabama State University who want peace and quiet. 

It features cultural gems like the Cloverdale Playhouse, the Capri Theatre (an indie movie house), and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Students often gather at Café Louisa or El Rey for low-key meals and good vibes. 

For those looking for the best neighborhoods in Montgomery AL, Cloverdale offers a calm, artsy retreat with everything nearby.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: Café Louisa, El Rey Burrito Lounge, Derk's Filet & Vine
• Libraries & Study Spots: Juliette Hampton Morgan Library, Huntingdon College Library
• Colleges: Huntingdon College, Alabama State University

4. The Loop, Mobile

Average Rent: $980/month

Crime Rate: 21.48/1000 residents

The Loop is an easygoing neighborhood with a practical mix of affordability and accessibility. Located near the University of South Alabama, it’s one of the go-to picks for students wondering where to live in Alabama on a budget. 

Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Co. is a favorite study spot, while Sage Park offers space to relax outdoors. Though not flashy, you're close to the Mobile Museum of Art and the Azalea City Center for the Arts.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: Butch Cassidy's, Taco Mama
• Libraries & Study Spots: Marx Library, West Regional Library
• Colleges: University of South Alabama

5. Downtown Tuscaloosa

Average Rent: $962/month

Crime Rate: 59.43/1000 residents

Buzzing with school spirit and energy, Downtown Tuscaloosa blends student life with community flair. Whether you're catching a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium or walking the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, there’s always something to do.

Art fans appreciate the Paul R. Jones Museum, and the Bama Theatre regularly shows indie films and local productions. With its lively nightlife, food scene, and study spots, it’s one of the best places to live in Alabama, with abundant student housing in Tuscaloosa too!  

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: Heritage House, Dreamland BBQ, FIVE Tuscaloosa
• Libraries & Study Spots: Gorgas Library, Tuscaloosa Public Library
• Colleges: University of Alabama

6. Auburn Downtown

Average Rent: $1,691/month

Crime Rate:  13.02/1000 residents

Home to Auburn University, one of the best nursing schools in the US, Auburn Downtown is among the best places to live in Alabama for students. Downtown Auburn includes Toomer’s Corner, Samford Lawn, and tons of student-friendly cafés. 

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is a must-visit due to its rotating exhibits and sculpture gardens. With everything just steps from campus, it's ideal for students who want a classic college-town atmosphere and safe student housing in Auburn.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: The Hound, Toomer’s Drugs, Coffee Cat
• Libraries & Study Spots: Ralph Brown Draughon Library, Well Red
• Colleges: Auburn University

7. Florence Historic District

Average Rent: $1,142/month

Crime Rate: 29.08/1000 residents

Florence is one of the most charming historic towns in Alabama, and the Historic District is its heart. The area’s cultural scene includes the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts and the W.C. Handy Home and Museum, both celebrating local creativity and music heritage. 

Add in peaceful spots like Wilson Park and Rivertown Coffee, and you've got one of the best neighborhoods in Alabama for laid-back living with artistic flair.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: Rivertown Coffee, Odette, Rosie’s Cantina
• Libraries & Study Spots: Collier Library, Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
• Colleges: University of North Alabama

8. Northport, Tuscaloosa County

Average Rent: $1,677/month

Crime Rate: 37.61/1000 residents

Northport sits just across the Black Warrior River from Tuscaloosa and gives students a quieter option with more space. It’s mostly residential, with a small-town vibe and some local shops and diners. 

Students who don’t mind a short drive to the University of Alabama like it for the calmer setting. Kentuck Art Center is the standout here, hosting the annual Kentuck Festival and local exhibits year-round. A quiet place for people after peace and a little art scene, it's one of the best neighborhoods in Alabama, just outside a major college town.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: City Café, Pie Lab, Billy’s Sports Grill
• Libraries & Study Spots: Northport Public Library
• Colleges: University of Alabama (via Tuscaloosa)

9. Capitol Heights, Montgomery

Average Rent: $1,611/month

Crime Rate: 31.82/1000 residents

Capitol Heights has older homes, narrow streets, and a quiet, suburban atmosphere. It's a lesser-known option among the best neighborhoods in Montgomery AL, but it appeals to students who want something residential without being far from downtown or campus. 

It’s about a 10-minute drive to Alabama State University, and you’ll find small cafes and antique shops sprinkled around. The neighborhood has a local feel and is good for walking, with nearby parks and neighborhood churches adding to the calm.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: Vintage Café, Cahawba House, Mrs. B’s Home Cooking
• Libraries & Study Spots: Rufus A. Lewis Regional Library
• Colleges: Alabama State University

10. Troy

Average Rent: $1,427/month

Crime Rate: 39.64/1000 residents

Downtown Troy has a small-town feel with a walkable square, older brick buildings, and a mix of student-friendly spots. It’s one of the best places to live in Alabama and students choose student housing in Troy because the university is close—you can walk to campus in about 10–15 minutes. 

The downtown area has a few local diners, coffee shops, and thrift stores, plus occasional street festivals. Fun fact: Troy is home to the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, which showcases over 18,000 historical artifacts.

• Top Cafés & Restaurants: Flo’s Kitchen, Village Coffee, Momma Goldberg’s Deli
• Libraries & Study Spots: Troy Public Library, Troy University Library
• Colleges: Troy University

Safe Off-Campus Student Housing in Alabama

Most student neighborhoods in Alabama are affordable, close to campus, and have a few places to eat and study. Some are more social, while others are better for quiet living. 

Popular student zones in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and areas near Auburn University provide affordable and well-connected housing options. These residences often come with furnished rooms, fitness centers, high-speed Wi-Fi, communal lounges, and easy access to campus.

Whether you’re looking at the best neighborhoods in Birmingham or small-town areas like Florence, the student housing in Alabama options really just depend on what kind of setup you want. No matter your campus or budget, amber’s personalized support makes finding the right student home easy and stress-free.

Here are some top off-campus housing picks in Alabama: 

1. The Pointe at Troy, Troy 
2. The Mill at Auburn, Auburn 
3. Lumen above Railroad Park, Birmingham 
4. My House on 13th, Tuscaloosa 
5. The Collective, Auburn