Want to see why Alabama is one of the best states to retire in America?
It starts with the top ten best places to retire in the Yellowhammer State for 2024
We looked at the FBI and Census data for 52 cities with 10,000 residents to identify Alabama’s best places to spend your retirement years. We included factors like crime, affordability, rent, and how close a place is to an international airport.
Our research concluded that The Heart of Dixie’s best places to retire are some of the safest in the state. They are also some of the most affordable.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
If you’re the type of retiree who likes to socialize, Alabama’s best places to retire do not disappoint. There’s the Parrot Head Club in Gulf Shores, shuffleboard clubs in Foley, and a bunch of knitting clubs in Madison.
What is the best place to retire in Alabama for 2024? According to the latest data, Leeds is the best place to retire in Alabama.
Why did Leeds take the top spot? And where are Huntsville and Birmingham?
For more Alabama state reading:
- Best Places To Live In Alabama
- Cheapest Places To Live In Alabama
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Alabama
- Best Places To Retire In America
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Alabama For 2024
/10
Population: 12,292
Median Income: $67,159
Median Home Price: $237,534
Median Rent: $938
Distance to Closest Airport: 10 miles
More on Leeds: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 14,815
Median Income: $44,549
Median Home Price: $181,111
Median Rent: $665
Distance to Closest Airport: 86 miles
More on Fort Payne: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 17,875
Median Income: $31,084
Median Home Price: $53,690
Median Rent: $679
Distance to Closest Airport: 80 miles
More on Selma: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 15,414
Median Income: $64,876
Median Home Price: $231,775
Median Rent: $775
Distance to Closest Airport: 61 miles
More on Hartselle: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 15,071
Median Income: $37,945
Median Home Price: $144,296
Median Rent: $687
Distance to Closest Airport: 38 miles
More on Talladega: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 18,434
Median Income: $59,982
Median Home Price: $235,534
Median Rent: $840
Distance to Closest Airport: 42 miles
More on Cullman: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 13,455
Median Income: $68,869
Median Home Price: $266,185
Median Rent: $1,182
Distance to Closest Airport: 5 miles
More on Irondale: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 33,881
Median Income: $39,696
Median Home Price: $87,217
Median Rent: $765
Distance to Closest Airport: 52 miles
More on Gadsden: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 26,179
Median Income: $57,444
Median Home Price: $292,471
Median Rent: $766
Distance to Closest Airport: 84 miles
More on Athens: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 21,502
Median Income: $45,642
Median Home Price: $121,785
Median Rent: $806
Distance to Closest Airport: 54 miles
More on Anniston: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In the Heart Of Dixie for 2024
To create our ranking of the best places in Alabama to retire, we used Saturday Night Science. We analyzed Census data to find all places in the Heart Of Dixie — 574 cities and towns.
We then narrowed it down to places with at least 10,000 people that weren’t townships. This left us with 52 places from across the state.
For these 52, we looked at the following criteria taken from the Census, the FBI’s Crime Report, National Weather Service, and OpenFlights:
- Low cost of living as measured by rent
- Low crime
- Things to do (Museums, Colleges, and Libraries in town)
- Nice weather
- Distance to the closest international airport
- Other retirees (High median age)
We then ranked each of these places for each criterion from one to 52, with the lowest number being the best.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Leeds, with the lowest average rank, was crowned the best of the best, a place for you to start your second career.
The report has been updated for 2024. This list reflects our tenth time ranking the best places to retire in Alabama.
Summary: Maybe You’re Not Ready To Retire In Alabama Yet…
So there you have it, the best place to retire in Alabama goes to Leeds.
The best places to retire in Alabama are Leeds, Fort Payne, Selma, Hartselle, Talladega, Cullman, Irondale, Gadsden, Athens, and Anniston.
If you’re not ready to hang up your office apparel yet, then these places might be up your alley:
- Spanish Fort
- Mobile
- Hueytown
For more Alabama reading, check out:
Best Places To Retire In Alabama
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Prices | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leeds | 12,292 | $67,159 | $237,534 | $938 |
| 2 | Fort Payne | 14,815 | $44,549 | $181,111 | $665 |
| 3 | Selma | 17,875 | $31,084 | $53,690 | $679 |
| 4 | Hartselle | 15,414 | $64,876 | $231,775 | $775 |
| 5 | Talladega | 15,071 | $37,945 | $144,296 | $687 |
| 6 | Cullman | 18,434 | $59,982 | $235,534 | $840 |
| 7 | Irondale | 13,455 | $68,869 | $266,185 | $1,182 |
| 8 | Gadsden | 33,881 | $39,696 | $87,217 | $765 |
| 9 | Athens | 26,179 | $57,444 | $292,471 | $766 |
| 10 | Anniston | 21,502 | $45,642 | $121,785 | $806 |