Is Homewood Safe, Pros and cons of living in Homewood

Homewood, Alabama, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, nestled within the bustling Birmingham metropolitan area. This charming city provides residents with a high quality of life, boasting excellent schools, a robust job market, and a strong sense of community. Its convenient location allows for easy access to the amenities and cultural attractions of Birmingham, while maintaining its own distinct identity and appeal.

For those considering a move to Homewood, understanding the local landscape is key. This guide delves into the essential aspects of life in Homewood, from safety and cost of living to employment opportunities and educational institutions. By providing a comprehensive overview, this article aims to equip potential residents with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision about calling Homewood home.

Is it Safe to Live in Homewood?

Homewood presents a varied safety profile, with crime rates that are generally higher than the national average. The overall crime rate in Homewood is 41.59 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeMapping.com). However, safety can vary significantly by neighborhood, with residents often considering the central parts of the city to be the safest, offering a chance of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 19 in western neighborhoods to 1 in 32 in central areas (according to CrimeMapping.com). The city’s crime rate is graded as a D, indicating it’s safer than only 16% of U.S. cities (according to CrimeGrade.org).

Despite these statistics, it’s important to note that violent crime rates are lower than the national average. There were a total of 42 violent crimes in Homewood, which is 58.1% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). Property crime rates, however, are higher than the national average, with 545 property crimes reported, which is 11.1% higher than average (according to AreaVibes). The cost of crime per resident in Homewood is approximately $508 per year, which is slightly higher than the national average (according to CrimeMapping.com).

Housing Costs and Availability

Home Prices

Homewood’s real estate market is characterized by home values that are significantly higher than both the state and national medians. The median home value in Homewood, AL, is approximately $525,835 (according to Greater Alabama MLS). This figure is considerably higher than the county median home value of $187,000 and the national median home value of $308,980 (according to Greater Alabama MLS). More recently, the average home value in Homewood, AL, is reported as $558,046, showing a 4.0% increase over the past year (according to Zillow).

The median listing price in Homewood, AL, was $499,000 in March 2026 (according to Realtor.com® Research). This indicates a strong seller’s market, with more buyers than available homes. The median home value has seen appreciation, with rates tracking near the national average over the last decade (according to NeighborhoodScout).

Rental Market

For those seeking rental options, Homewood offers a range of choices with varying price points. The average rent in Homewood, AL, is approximately $1,192 per month, which is 27% lower than the national average rent (according to Apartments.com). This makes renting in Homewood more affordable than in many other U.S. cities. Studio apartments average around $1,395 per month, one-bedroom apartments are about $1,192 per month, and two-bedroom apartments can be expected to cost around $1,496 per month, with three-bedroom rentals potentially reaching $1,856 or more (according to Apartments.com).

However, other sources indicate a different average rent. For instance, Zillow reports the average rent in Homewood, AL, as $1,600. Apartments.com also notes that the average rent for apartments in Homewood, AL, is between $931 and $1,219 in 2026, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $931 and two-bedroom apartments averaging $1,219 (according to RentCafe). Another report shows the median rent in Homewood as $2.0K per month (according to Realtor.com® Research).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Homewood, AL, is considered to be slightly higher than the national average. One source indicates that Homewood is 3% less expensive than the national average, but 11% more expensive than the average city in Alabama (according to ERI Economic Research Institute). This calculation assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a two-bedroom apartment. Food costs in Homewood are comparable to the national average (according to ERI Economic Research Institute).

Another perspective places Homewood’s cost of living at $2014 per month, ranking it among the more expensive cities globally and within the United States (according to LivingCost.org). This figure suggests that the median after-tax salary of $3367 is sufficient to cover living expenses for approximately 1.7 months (according to LivingCost.org). The affordability index in Homewood is 219, with a median home value of $463,500 and a median rent of $595 (according to Kurby AI).

Job Market and Economy

Employment and Unemployment

Homewood boasts a strong job market with a low unemployment rate. The unemployment rate in Homewood was 2.7% in 2026 (according to Data Commons). This figure is well below the national unemployment rate, which was 4.3% in March 2026 (according to The Bama Buzz). Major cities in Alabama, including Homewood, Alabaster, Vestavia Hills, and Madison, reported an unemployment rate of 2.2% in March 2026 (according to The Bama Buzz).

The employment rate in Homewood is high, with 97.7% of its residents employed. The city’s workforce consists of 14,318 residents, with 92% employed in professional or administrative positions and 8% in hands-on or service-based jobs (according to Point2Homes). A significant portion, 8.6%, are business owners, while 66.8% work for private companies and 11.8% are employed in the public sector (according to Point2Homes).

Major Employers

Homewood benefits from being part of the larger Birmingham metropolitan area, which has a diverse economic base. While specific major employers within Homewood are not detailed in the provided search results, the broader Birmingham area is home to significant companies across various sectors. These include construction firms like Brasfield & Gorrie, insurance and financial services companies like State Farm and Protective Life Insurance Company, and healthcare providers such as Encompass Health and Brookwood Medical Center (according to Birmingham Business Alliance and Lensa). Other notable employers in the region include UPS, BBVA Compass, and Jack’s Family Restaurants.

The presence of these larger entities, along with a strong local business community, contributes to a dynamic job market. The automotive sector is also a significant contributor to the regional economy, with companies like Autocar having a presence in the area (according to Birmingham Business Alliance). Additionally, educational institutions like Samford University play a role in the local employment landscape.

Climate and Weather

Homewood experiences a climate typical of the Southeastern United States, characterized by warm summers and mild winters. The average high temperature in July is around 90.6°F, with an average low temperature in January of 32.3°F (according to Greater Alabama MLS). Throughout the year, temperatures generally range from 34°F to 92°F, rarely dropping below 21°F or exceeding 96°F (according to myPerfectWeather).

The city receives an average annual precipitation of about 50.62 inches (according to Greater Alabama MLS), with rainfall distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. February tends to be the wettest month, with an average of 5.0 inches of rain, while August is typically the driest, with around 3.0 inches (according to myPerfectWeather). Summers can be uncomfortably humid from June to August (according to myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

Homewood is recognized for its high-performing public school system. The Homewood City School District is ranked sixth out of 135 districts in Alabama and holds a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger (according to SchoolDigger.com). The district serves students from elementary through high school with five schools.

Homewood High School is a standout institution, consistently ranking among the top high schools in the state, placing third, fifth, and seventh in recent U.S. News & World Report rankings (according to SchoolDigger.com and City of Homewood). The elementary schools in Homewood also perform exceptionally well, with Edgewood Elementary and Shades Cahaba Elementary ranking among the top in the state (according to SchoolDigger.com). Overall, the Homewood City School District is rated A+ and is considered one of the best school districts in Alabama (according to Niche).

Demographics

Homewood has a diverse population, with a racial makeup that includes a significant White population, followed by Black or African American residents. According to the 2020 census, the racial composition was 79.75% White, 15.30% Black or African-American, 0.20% Native American, 2.57% Asian, and smaller percentages for other races (according to Wikipedia). More recent data indicates 73.8% White, 16.5% African American, and 2.4% Asian residents (according to Point2Homes).

The median age in Homewood is around 29 to 31 years old (according to Data Commons and Wikipedia). The population is distributed across various age groups, with a notable percentage of residents between 25 and 44 years old. The median household income in Homewood is reported to be around $94,485 (according to Census Reporter), which is significantly higher than both the state and national medians. The poverty rate is reported at 8.3% (according to Kurby AI), which is below the national average.