Best Places to Retire in Alabama for Housing

Quick answer

The most affordable housing places to retire in Alabama in 2026 are Selma, Gadsden, and Bessemer. Selma ranks first, with median home price of $92,700. Rankings below cover 15 Alabama cities and measure the median home price, using Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data.

Explore the most affordable housing markets for retirees, featuring cities with high-value real estate options. When choosing a retirement destination in Alabama, housing is often a top priority. The cities below are ranked by the median home price, drawn from Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data and refreshed for 2026.

Source: Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data. See our full methodology and data lineage →

established retirement community

Ranked #1 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $92,700. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$92,700

established retirement community

Ranked #2 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $96,900. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$96,900

Ranked #3 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $118,600.

Median Home Price

$118,600

established retirement community

Ranked #4 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $124,200. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$124,200

Ranked #5 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $129,700.

Median Home Price

$129,700

established retirement community

Ranked #6 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $131,800. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$131,800

established retirement community

Ranked #7 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $134,100. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$134,100

established retirement community

Ranked #8 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $134,200. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$134,200

established retirement community

Ranked #9 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $145,600. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$145,600

established retirement community

Ranked #10 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $154,100. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$154,100

Ranked #11 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $155,200.

Median Home Price

$155,200

Ranked #12 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $159,000.

Median Home Price

$159,000

Ranked #13 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $168,800.

Median Home Price

$168,800

established retirement community

Ranked #14 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $170,000. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$170,000

established retirement community

Ranked #15 of 15 Alabama cities for housing, with median home price of $175,600. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.

Median Home Price

$175,600

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best place to retire in Alabama for housing?

Selma ranks first among Alabama retirement cities for housing, with median home price of $92,700. Gadsden and Bessemer follow closely behind. Rankings use Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data.

How does RetireCityIQ rank Alabama cities for housing?

Each city is scored on the median home price, sourced from Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data. Cities are then ordered from lowest to highest on that metric. See our methodology page for the full scoring model and data lineage.

Which Alabama cities are covered in these housing rankings?

These rankings cover 15 Alabama retirement cities, including Selma, Gadsden, Bessemer, Alexander City, Ozark, and more. Each links to a full retirement guide with cost of living, taxes, healthcare, and climate data.

Other Alabama Retirement Guides