Vestavia Hills is a small city of 38,600 in Alabama, with a median household income of $127,582
and a 1.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Vestavia Hills stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include high home prices. Whether Vestavia Hills is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Vestavia Hills city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.6
Vestavia Hills's overall cost of living index is 92.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Vestavia Hills costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Vestavia Hills, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$467,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,458
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
76.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$127,582
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Vestavia Hills's violent crime rate is 82.3 per 100,000 residents
— 78% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
82.3 /100k
Property Crime
645.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Vestavia Hills is served primarily by Vestavia Hills City.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Vestavia Hills, AL
National Avg
School District
Vestavia Hills City
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
67.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
96.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Vestavia Hills sees average highs of 54.5°F in January
and 91.0°F in July,
with 55.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.4 inches of snow per year.
Vestavia Hills's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Vestavia Hills roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $467,600 and median rent is $1,458/month.
Vestavia Hills's violent crime rate is 82.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 645.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Vestavia Hills are operated by Vestavia Hills City.
The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. 67.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Vestavia Hills, AL has a population of 38,600, a median household income of $127,582, and an unemployment rate of 1.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Vestavia Hills averages 54.5°F in January and 91.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 55.9 inches
with about 1.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Vestavia Hills, AL is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 35216, 35243.
The population of Vestavia Hills, Alabama is 38,600 with a median age of 40.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Vestavia Hills: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $467,600, median household income $127,582, crime index 25 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Vestavia Hills side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
