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 2025
We looked at the FBI and Census data for 56 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
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Alabama For 2025
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 2025? According to the latest data, Irondale is the best place to retire in Alabama.
Why did Irondale 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 2025
/10
Population: 13,462
Median Income: $71,240
Median Home Price: $250,000
Median Rent: $1,177
Distance to Closest Airport: 5 miles
More on Irondale: Data
/10
Population: 14,886
Median Income: $48,623
Median Home Price: $158,100
Median Rent: $670
Distance to Closest Airport: 86 miles
More on Fort Payne: Data
/10
Population: 18,894
Median Income: $63,704
Median Home Price: $215,200
Median Rent: $921
Distance to Closest Airport: 42 miles
More on Cullman: Data
/10
Population: 12,221
Median Income: $71,672
Median Home Price: $220,400
Median Rent: $945
Distance to Closest Airport: 10 miles
More on Leeds: Data
/10
Population: 33,617
Median Income: $38,699
Median Home Price: $101,900
Median Rent: $787
Distance to Closest Airport: 52 miles
More on Gadsden: Data
/10
Population: 17,442
Median Income: $32,184
Median Home Price: $102,500
Median Rent: $723
Distance to Closest Airport: 80 miles
More on Selma: Data
/10
Population: 15,041
Median Income: $46,820
Median Home Price: $116,600
Median Rent: $765
Distance to Closest Airport: 38 miles
More on Talladega: Data
/10
Population: 21,377
Median Income: $44,806
Median Home Price: $141,600
Median Rent: $777
Distance to Closest Airport: 54 miles
More on Anniston: Data
/10
Population: 15,641
Median Income: $52,949
Median Home Price: $175,700
Median Rent: $792
Distance to Closest Airport: 84 miles
More on Scottsboro: Data
/10
Population: 27,474
Median Income: $65,000
Median Home Price: $253,700
Median Rent: $834
Distance to Closest Airport: 84 miles
More on Athens: Data
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In the Heart Of Dixie for 2025
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 56 places from across the state.
For these 56, 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 56, with the lowest number being the best.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Irondale, 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 2025. 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 Irondale.
The best places to retire in Alabama are Irondale, Fort Payne, Cullman, Leeds, Gadsden, Selma, Talladega, Anniston, Scottsboro, and Athens.
If you’re not ready to hang up your office apparel yet, then these places might be up your alley:
- Millbrook
- Spanish Fort
- Enterprise
For more Alabama reading, check out:
Best Places To Retire In Alabama
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Prices | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Irondale | 13,462 | $71,240 | $250,000 | $1,177 |
| 2 | Fort Payne | 14,886 | $48,623 | $158,100 | $670 |
| 3 | Cullman | 18,894 | $63,704 | $215,200 | $921 |
| 4 | Leeds | 12,221 | $71,672 | $220,400 | $945 |
| 5 | Gadsden | 33,617 | $38,699 | $101,900 | $787 |
| 6 | Selma | 17,442 | $32,184 | $102,500 | $723 |
| 7 | Talladega | 15,041 | $46,820 | $116,600 | $765 |
| 8 | Anniston | 21,377 | $44,806 | $141,600 | $777 |
| 9 | Scottsboro | 15,641 | $52,949 | $175,700 | $792 |
| 10 | Athens | 27,474 | $65,000 | $253,700 | $834 |