When planning for retirement, location is one of the most critical factors to consider. Our comprehensive analysis examines five key criteria that impact retirement quality: Overall Retirement Score, Walkability, Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities), Vibrant Score, and Transit-Friendly Rating.
Scores on a scale of 0 to 100. See references at the end for all sources that contributed to the proprietary calculation of these scores.
The Overall Retirement Score combines numerous factors including healthcare access, cost of living, crime rates, recreational opportunities, and community engagement possibilities. Each of these metrics is based on extensive real-world data collection and resident surveys across Alabama communities, providing an authentic perspective on retirement suitability.
These scores help prospective retirees make informed decisions by quantifying aspects of daily life that might otherwise be difficult to compare. Low scores indicate areas where retirees may face challenges with accessibility, amenities, or quality of life factors. High scores suggest locations better suited to meet the unique needs of the retirement phase of life.
Here’s the list.
1. Loxley
Loxley is located in Baldwin County in the southwestern region of Alabama. The town struggles with retirement amenities despite its proximity to the Gulf Coast, reflected in its low Overall Retirement Score. The median home price in Loxley is approximately $210,000, which is relatively affordable compared to other Gulf Coast communities but offers less retirement-specific infrastructure and services.
- Overall Retirement Score: 34.25
- Walkability: 23.30
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 36.94
- Vibrant Score: 26.44
- Transit-Friendly: 20.69
2. Munford
Munford is situated in Talladega County in east-central Alabama. This small town offers minimal retirement amenities and services, leading to its low ranking. The median home price in Munford hovers around $135,000, making it one of the more affordable options on this list, though the lower cost comes with fewer dedicated resources for seniors.
- Overall Retirement Score: 33.54
- Walkability: 14.45
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 24.56
- Vibrant Score: 14.68
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
3. Marbury
Marbury is located in Autauga County in central Alabama. The town has a surprisingly high score for urban sophistication despite its overall low retirement rating. Median home prices in Marbury range around $170,000, offering larger lots and rural settings, but with significantly fewer retirement-oriented services and amenities.
- Overall Retirement Score: 33.51
- Walkability: 14.66
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 60.90
- Vibrant Score: 13.32
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
4. Powell
Powell is situated in DeKalb County in northeastern Alabama near the Georgia state line. This rural community struggles with retirement-friendly infrastructure and amenities. The median home price in Powell is approximately $125,000, making it affordable but lacking in retirement-specific resources.
- Overall Retirement Score: 33.44
- Walkability: 21.99
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 9.22
- Vibrant Score: 17.71
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
5. Fairfield
Fairfield is located in Jefferson County, just west of Birmingham in central Alabama. Despite its proximity to Alabama’s largest city, Fairfield faces numerous challenges for retirees, including declining infrastructure. The median home price in Fairfield is around $75,000, significantly lower than surrounding areas due to economic struggles and limited investment in senior services.
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.94
- Walkability: 59.23
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 20.56
- Vibrant Score: 55.94
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
6. Bayou La Batre
Bayou La Batre is situated on the Gulf Coast in Mobile County, southern Alabama. Known for its seafood industry and as the setting for portions of the film “Forrest Gump,” the town nonetheless ranks poorly for retirement living. The median home price in Bayou La Batre is approximately $95,000, reflecting both coastal vulnerability and limited retirement infrastructure.
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.77
- Walkability: 24.41
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 2.61
- Vibrant Score: 22.63
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
7. Billingsley
Billingsley is located in Autauga County in central Alabama. This small rural community offers very little in terms of retirement amenities and services. The median home price in Billingsley is around $130,000, providing affordable housing but with extremely limited resources for seniors.
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.17
- Walkability: 8.29
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.27
- Vibrant Score: 3.05
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
8. Geraldine
Geraldine is situated in DeKalb County in northeastern Alabama. This small mountain town offers scenic views but lacks many retirement necessities. The median home price in Geraldine is approximately $120,000, providing affordable housing in a rural setting but with limited senior-focused amenities.
- Overall Retirement Score: 31.84
- Walkability: 18.89
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 6.76
- Vibrant Score: 21.09
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
9. Parrish
Parrish is located in Walker County in north-central Alabama. This former mining town has struggled economically, affecting its retirement infrastructure. The median home price in Parrish is approximately $85,000, making it one of the more affordable options but reflecting the limited amenities and services available to seniors.
- Overall Retirement Score: 31.14
- Walkability: 23.75
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 29.61
- Vibrant Score: 18.36
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
10. East Brewton
East Brewton is situated in Escambia County in southern Alabama. This small town adjacent to Brewton offers minimal retirement amenities. The median home price in East Brewton is around $90,000, providing affordable housing but with few dedicated senior services or facilities.
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.33
- Walkability: 5.53
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.14
- Vibrant Score: 14.77
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
11. Elkmont
Elkmont is located in Limestone County in north Alabama near the Tennessee border. This rural community offers a quiet lifestyle but lacks retirement-specific amenities. The median home price in Elkmont is approximately $155,000, offering relatively affordable housing in a growing region, though senior services remain limited.
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.24
- Walkability: 17.09
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 31.29
- Vibrant Score: 10.93
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
12. Maplesville
Maplesville is situated in Chilton County in central Alabama. This rural community offers very little in terms of retirement infrastructure and amenities. The median home price in Maplesville is around $120,000, providing affordable rural living but with extremely limited resources for seniors.
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.13
- Walkability: 7.11
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 6.55
- Vibrant Score: 4.58
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
13. Vina – Hodges
Vina – Hodges area is located in Franklin County in northwestern Alabama near the Mississippi border. This extremely rural area lacks nearly all retirement amenities and infrastructure. The median home price in the Vina – Hodges area is approximately $85,000, reflecting both affordability and the absence of senior-focused resources.
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.78
- Walkability: 8.06
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.75
- Vibrant Score: 1.78
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
14. Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker is located in Dale County in southeastern Alabama. This U.S. Army post is primarily designed for military training rather than retirement living. Housing in Fort Rucker varies based on military status, with median home prices in surrounding communities ranging from $125,000 to $150,000, though the military base itself has specific housing regulations.
- Overall Retirement Score: 28.91
- Walkability: 4.21
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 32.05
- Vibrant Score: 22.44
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
15. Brighton
Brighton is located in Jefferson County in central Alabama, northwest of Birmingham. Despite its relatively high walkability and vibrant scores, Brighton struggles with overall retirement amenities. The median home price in Brighton is approximately $70,000, making it one of the most affordable options but reflecting economic challenges and limited senior services.
- Overall Retirement Score: 28.02
- Walkability: 59.52
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 10.22
- Vibrant Score: 35.80
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
16. Chickasaw
Chickasaw is situated in Mobile County in southwestern Alabama. This suburb of Mobile offers decent walkability but struggles with overall retirement quality. The median home price in Chickasaw is approximately $95,000, providing affordable housing but with limited senior-focused amenities and services.
- Overall Retirement Score: 27.75
- Walkability: 55.13
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 7.96
- Vibrant Score: 54.83
- Transit-Friendly: 10.60
17. Clay
Clay is located in Jefferson County in central Alabama, northeast of Birmingham. This suburban community offers a reasonable level of urban sophistication but falls short in other retirement metrics. The median home price in Clay is approximately $175,000, higher than many towns on this list but still offering limited retirement-specific infrastructure.
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.30
- Walkability: 21.59
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 46.59
- Vibrant Score: 18.39
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
18. Brookside
Brookside is situated in Jefferson County in central Alabama, northwest of Birmingham. This former mining town has struggled economically, affecting its retirement amenities. The median home price in Brookside is approximately $85,000, reflecting both affordability and the limited resources available to seniors.
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.28
- Walkability: 16.88
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 40.30
- Vibrant Score: 10.76
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
19. Allgood
Allgood is located in Blount County in north-central Alabama. This small rural community offers virtually no retirement-specific amenities or services. The median home price in Allgood is approximately $110,000, providing affordable housing but with extremely limited resources for seniors.
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.95
- Walkability: 2.60
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.06
- Vibrant Score: 3.58
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
20. Midfield
Midfield is situated in Jefferson County in central Alabama, just west of Birmingham. Despite decent walkability and vibrant scores, Midfield struggles with overall retirement quality. The median home price in Midfield is approximately $80,000, providing affordable housing but reflecting limited senior-focused services and declining infrastructure.
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.93
- Walkability: 53.08
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 13.54
- Vibrant Score: 64.76
- Transit-Friendly: 15.42
21. Addison
Addison is located in Winston County in northwestern Alabama. This extremely rural community offers almost no retirement amenities or infrastructure. The median home price in Addison is approximately $95,000, reflecting both affordability and the absence of senior-focused resources.
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.31
- Walkability: 0.78
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 4.23
- Vibrant Score: 3.57
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
22. Center Point
Center Point is situated in Jefferson County in central Alabama, northeast of Birmingham. This suburb has experienced economic challenges that have impacted its retirement amenities. The median home price in Center Point is approximately $95,000, providing affordable housing but with declining infrastructure and limited senior services.
- Overall Retirement Score: 20.44
- Walkability: 50.33
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 13.70
- Vibrant Score: 46.80
- Transit-Friendly: 6.18
23. Boykin
Boykin (also known as Gee’s Bend) is located in Wilcox County in southwestern Alabama. This extremely rural community offers almost no retirement amenities and struggles with poverty. The median home price in Boykin is approximately $40,000, making it the most affordable option but reflecting severe economic challenges and virtually no senior-focused resources.
- Overall Retirement Score: 18.83
- Walkability: 3.86
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 2.71
- Vibrant Score: 7.67
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
24. Tarrant
Tarrant is situated in Jefferson County in central Alabama, northeast of Birmingham. Despite high walkability and transit scores, Tarrant ranks very poorly for overall retirement quality. The median home price in Tarrant is approximately $75,000, reflecting economic challenges and extremely limited senior-focused amenities despite its urban location.
- Overall Retirement Score: 10.01
- Walkability: 69.67
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.12
- Vibrant Score: 50.24
- Transit-Friendly: 55.26
25. McIntosh
McIntosh is located in Washington County in southwestern Alabama. This small industrial town ranks as the absolute worst place for retirement in Alabama according to our analysis. The median home price in McIntosh is approximately $80,000, reflecting both affordability and the severe lack of retirement-friendly infrastructure and amenities.
- Overall Retirement Score: 9.44
- Walkability: 0.84
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.05
- Vibrant Score: 11.97
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
References:
The overall retirement score and other scores were obtained from the following databases and sources:
- American Community Survey
- U.S. Bureau of the Census
- U.S. Department of Education
- 50 state departments of education
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- 18,000+ local law enforcement agencies
- Federal Housing Finance Agency
- U.S. Geological Service
- National Agricultural Statistics Service
Median home price data obtained from the following:
- Alabama Association of Realtors
- Zillow Alabama Home Values for Alabama
- Realtor.com Alabama Housing Market
- U.S. Census Bureau Alabama QuickFacts
