Every score presented in this ranking is based on extensive real-world data collection and surveys from residents who experience these communities daily. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Alabama’s least suitable neighborhoods for those entering the housing market for the first time.
Here’s the list.
25. Tuscaloosa
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.58
- Family Friendly Score: 27.72
- Vacation Home Score: 24.83
- Walkability: 43.39
- Car Friendly: 80.23
- Cycling-Friendly: 7.21
- Vibrancy Score: 60.45
- Transit-Friendly: 9.38
Tuscaloosa presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.58 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 27.72 for family-friendliness and 43.39 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 80.23, and transit accessibility at 9.38, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Tuscaloosa is approximately $195,000.
24. Fort Mitchell
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.48
- Family Friendly Score: 80.13
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 7.1
- Car Friendly: 87.93
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 14.33
- Transit-Friendly: 2.9
Fort Mitchell presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.48 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 80.13 for family-friendliness and 7.1 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 87.93, and transit accessibility at 2.9, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Fort Mitchell is approximately $145,000.
23. Rainbow City
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.47
- Family Friendly Score: 53.5
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 11.18
- Car Friendly: 83.66
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 46.25
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Rainbow City presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.47 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 53.5 for family-friendliness and 11.18 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 83.66, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Rainbow City is approximately $165,000.
22. Oxford
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.37
- Family Friendly Score: 46.05
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 17.9
- Car Friendly: 76.96
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 35.64
- Transit-Friendly: 8.18
Oxford presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.37 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 46.05 for family-friendliness and 17.9 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 76.96, and transit accessibility at 8.18, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Oxford is approximately $175,000.
21. Warrior
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.32
- Family Friendly Score: 72.39
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 20.73
- Car Friendly: 94.29
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 23.15
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Warrior presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.32 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 72.39 for family-friendliness and 20.73 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 94.29, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Warrior is approximately $140,000.
20. Beatrice
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.22
- Family Friendly Score: 42.43
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 4.8
- Car Friendly: 96.65
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 6.61
- Transit-Friendly: 26.78
Beatrice presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.22 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 42.43 for family-friendliness and 4.8 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 96.65, and transit accessibility at 26.78, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Beatrice is approximately $115,000.
19. Citronelle
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.08
- Family Friendly Score: 63.86
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 13.95
- Car Friendly: 89.59
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 14.41
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Citronelle presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.08 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 63.86 for family-friendliness and 13.95 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 89.59, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Citronelle is approximately $125,000.
18. Verbena
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.06
- Family Friendly Score: 35.91
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 16.8
- Car Friendly: 75.73
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 11.3
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Verbena presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.06 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 35.91 for family-friendliness and 16.8 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 75.73, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Verbena is approximately $130,000.
17. Semmes
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 6.01
- Family Friendly Score: 72.12
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 18.61
- Car Friendly: 85.18
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 25.24
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Semmes presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 6.01 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 72.12 for family-friendliness and 18.61 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 85.18, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Semmes is approximately $160,000.
16. Ashville
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 5.69
- Family Friendly Score: 57.64
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 11.32
- Car Friendly: 94.74
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 9.37
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Ashville presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 5.69 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 57.64 for family-friendliness and 11.32 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 94.74, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Ashville is approximately $150,000.
15. Columbia
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 5.45
- Family Friendly Score: 78.19
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 8.63
- Car Friendly: 88.06
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 9.23
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Columbia presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 5.45 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 78.19 for family-friendliness and 8.63 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 88.06, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Columbia is approximately $120,000.
14. Wilmer
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 5.16
- Family Friendly Score: 73.77
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 16.31
- Car Friendly: 88.56
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 19.03
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Wilmer presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 5.16 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 73.77 for family-friendliness and 16.31 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 88.56, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Wilmer is approximately $145,000.
13. Camden
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 4.78
- Family Friendly Score: 34.95
- Vacation Home Score: 28.18
- Walkability: 3.41
- Car Friendly: 79.65
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 11.4
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Camden presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 4.78 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 34.95 for family-friendliness and 3.41 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 79.65, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Camden is approximately $110,000.
12. Gardendale
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 4.39
- Family Friendly Score: 59.9
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 29.3
- Car Friendly: 82.98
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 34.04
- Transit-Friendly: 9.8
Gardendale presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 4.39 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 59.9 for family-friendliness and 29.3 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 82.98, and transit accessibility at 9.8, transportation options may present some challenges. The median home price in Gardendale is approximately $210,000.
11. Troy
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 4.26
- Family Friendly Score: 31.06
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 16.63
- Car Friendly: 85.13
- Cycling-Friendly: 6.54
- Vibrancy Score: 35.63
- Transit-Friendly: 6
Troy presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 4.26 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 31.06 for family-friendliness and 16.63 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 85.13, and transit accessibility at 6, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Troy is approximately $155,000.
10. Ozark
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 4.19
- Family Friendly Score: 39.03
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 19
- Car Friendly: 87.96
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 25
- Transit-Friendly: 4.81
Ozark presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 4.19 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 39.03 for family-friendliness and 19 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 87.96, and transit accessibility at 4.81, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Ozark is approximately $130,000.
9. Hayneville
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 3.88
- Family Friendly Score: 35.31
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 3.25
- Car Friendly: 91.82
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 7.4
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Hayneville presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 3.88 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 35.31 for family-friendliness and 3.25 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 91.82, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Hayneville is approximately $95,000.
8. East Brewton
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 3.26
- Family Friendly Score: 50.06
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 5.53
- Car Friendly: 91.78
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 14.77
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
East Brewton presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 3.26 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 50.06 for family-friendliness and 5.53 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 91.78, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in East Brewton is approximately $115,000.
7. Mulga
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 3.25
- Family Friendly Score: 52.28
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 29.63
- Car Friendly: 84.7
- Cycling-Friendly: 2.79
- Vibrancy Score: 14.91
- Transit-Friendly: 0.01
Mulga presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 3.25 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 52.28 for family-friendliness and 29.63 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 84.7, and transit accessibility at 0.01, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Mulga is approximately $120,000.
6. Northport
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 2.82
- Family Friendly Score: 69.64
- Vacation Home Score: 7.73
- Walkability: 23.73
- Car Friendly: 87.26
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 33.29
- Transit-Friendly: 2.7
Northport presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 2.82 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 69.64 for family-friendliness and 23.73 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 87.26, and transit accessibility at 2.7, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Northport is approximately $180,000.
5. Hoover
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 2.55
- Family Friendly Score: 66.86
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 34.17
- Car Friendly: 78.95
- Cycling-Friendly: 0.47
- Vibrancy Score: 49.16
- Transit-Friendly: 1.87
Hoover presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 2.55 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 66.86 for family-friendliness and 34.17 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 78.95, and transit accessibility at 1.87, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Hoover is approximately $320,000.
4. Enterprise
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 2.19
- Family Friendly Score: 54.5
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 20.72
- Car Friendly: 86.22
- Cycling-Friendly: 8.81
- Vibrancy Score: 32.44
- Transit-Friendly: 0.63
Enterprise presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 2.19 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 54.5 for family-friendliness and 20.72 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 86.22, and transit accessibility at 0.63, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Enterprise is approximately $175,000.
3. Thomasville
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 2.09
- Family Friendly Score: 45.03
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 12.37
- Car Friendly: 91.14
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 11.84
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Thomasville presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 2.09 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 45.03 for family-friendliness and 12.37 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 91.14, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Thomasville is approximately $135,000.
2. Winfield
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 1.44
- Family Friendly Score: 64.54
- Vacation Home Score: N/A
- Walkability: 17.46
- Car Friendly: 96.81
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 20.76
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Winfield presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 1.44 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 64.54 for family-friendliness and 17.46 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 96.81, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Winfield is approximately $135,000.
1. Jackson
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: 0.77
- Family Friendly Score: 31.55
- Vacation Home Score: 18.22
- Walkability: 7.75
- Car Friendly: 94.72
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Vibrancy Score: 13.86
- Transit-Friendly: 1.49
Jackson presents challenges for first-time homebuyers with an Overall Score of 0.77 out of 100. The neighborhood scores 31.55 for family-friendliness and 7.75 for walkability. With a car-friendly score of 94.72, and transit accessibility at 1.49, transportation options may present significant challenges. The median home price in Jackson is approximately $110,000.
Definition of Terms:
- Overall First Time Home Buyers Score: A comprehensive metric evaluating affordability, property appreciation potential, crime rates, school quality, and access to amenities specifically relevant to first-time buyers.
- Family Friendly Score: Measures the suitability for families based on school quality, safety, parks, and child-friendly amenities. This is especially important for first-time buyers who may be starting or planning to grow their families.
- Vacation Home Score: Indicates potential for rental income or seasonal use, which can be relevant for first-time buyers considering investment potential or supplemental income options.
- Walkability: Measures how easily residents can accomplish daily tasks on foot, reducing transportation costs and improving quality of life for new homeowners.
- Car Friendly: Evaluates parking availability, road conditions, and commute times – crucial factors for first-time buyers who may have budget constraints for vehicle ownership and maintenance.
- Cycling-Friendly: Assesses bike lanes, safety, and cycling infrastructure, offering an alternative transportation option that can reduce costs for new homeowners.
- Vibrancy Score: Measures local amenities, dining, entertainment, and cultural opportunities, which impact lifestyle satisfaction and potentially property value growth.
- Transit-Friendly: Evaluates public transportation options, reducing the need for car ownership and potentially lowering the overall cost of living for first-time buyers.
References:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
