$602,619Average Value$365Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Alabama's most walkable city with top-rated schools and recent economic growth
Homewood has ranked as Alabama's most walkable city for over a decade. But walkability isn't the only feature that draws buyers to this sidewalk-lined suburb of Birmingham. Homewood boasts Alabama's highest-rated school district, historic homes and a charming downtown anchored by Homewood Central Park. Recently, it’s also become a major economic hub, with a new Morgan Stanley headquarters building breaking ground in 2024. “Homewood is close to downtown Birmingham, but it’s on the other side of Red Mountain, so it’s quieter here,” says Allison Cheka, a lifelong Birmingham resident and local Realtor with RealtySouth.
Plenty of local shops in Downtown Homewood.
Homewood in Alabama offers a historic touch with a community-focused feeling.
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Morgan Stanley's Alabama headquarters coming in 2025
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and its top-ranking hospital are the area's main economic drivers, with over 28,000 employees. Homewood is about 2 miles from campus and only 3 miles from UAB Hospital. Another major employer, Morgan Stanley, is building its Alabama headquarters in Homewood. The multinational financial services firm is set to open its new 30,000-square-foot building along Shades Creek Parkway in 2025.
Morgan Stanley is building its Alabama headquarters in Homewood.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and its top-ranking hospital are the area's main economic drivers, with over 28,000 employees.
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Expensive historic homes in walkable neighborhoods
From 2022 to 2024, multiple local news outlets reported Homewood was one of the top 10 most expensive cities to buy a home in in Alabama. The most recent study, conducted in September 2024, has the median sold price at about $556,000, making it nearly 60% more costly than its northwestern neighbor, Birmingham. Cheka says Homewood’s walkability plays a major role in determining these higher home prices. “There are sidewalks along most of the roads and you have a lot of walkable shopping communities, so people really like that.” Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, she says, Homewood has remained a “seller’s market.” As of 2024, most homes are sold within 30 days of listing.
Many houses in Homewood are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest properties were built between the 1920s and ‘40s. They usually feature Tudor, Bungalow or Craftsman architecture, but some reflect more of the Spanish Colonial style. Cheka says most of these houses “are on the smaller side and don’t have garages.” Newer homes from the 1990s sit in quiet subdivisions on the west side of Homewood, and in 2023, some new construction condos were added downtown.
Many homes in Homewood have cozy front porches with spacious back yards.
This large single-family home in Homewood displays intricate stone siding.
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Homewood Schools earn top-ratings from Niche
Homewood City School District scores an overall A-plus on Niche and ranks as the No. 1 school district in Alabama. Its three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school serve approximately 4,200 students. In 2024, U.S. News and World Report recognized Homewood High as one of the top three traditional public schools in the state. It offers 26 AP courses and an even longer list of career classes in topics ranging from welding to fashion. The high school also boasts a nationally recognized marching band and several state championship sports teams. Along with highly rated public schools, Homewood is home to a prestigious Christian college called Samford University.
Homewood Middle School is a high-rated public school in Homewood, AL.
Homewood High School is a great place for teenagers to learn in Homewood.
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SoHo Square has restraunats, shops and the Homewood Theatre
Downtown Homewood is the city's main shopping and dining district, and SoHo Square sits in the heart of it all. The four-story multi-use development has modern condos above local restaurants and a central plaza with outdoor seating. SoHo Social is one of the more popular spots, offering happy hour specials every Monday through Friday. It sits across from Homewood Theatre. Established in 2016, the non-profit theatre group didn't move to its current location on the Square until 2022. Now, in 2024, it produces six community-driven shows each season, along with many other events. More restaurants and privately owned boutiques are just a block over on 18th Street South. "It's like Homewood's version of Main Street," Cheka says. Since most places are locally owned, the business owners "feel more like family," she says. "Most places you'll walk in, and they'll know you by name."
The intersection of Broadway Street and Oxmoor Road is another shopping and dining hub right in the middle of Homewood. The small corridor "has more regional chains and grab-and-go spots," Cheka says. "You can't really browse and walk around there like you can downtown." National restaurant chains and big box stores cluster in strip malls and suburban shopping centers along Green Springs Highway.
SoHo in Homewood, Alabama offers many retail and dining options for locals.
Chicken Salad Restaurant is located below a set of apartments in Homewood, AL.
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Homewood Central Park hosts the city's annual events
Homewood Central Park sits just outside the downtown district, on the corner of Central Avenue and Oxmoor Road. Originally opening in 1948, the park underwent a major renovation in 2024, adding a brand-new turf playscape and ninja agility course. Along with new equipment, it features two tennis courts, an outdoor amphitheater and a large green space where the city hosts annual events. A pedestrian bridge connects the park to Homewood Central Pool and the community center. A new pool and splash pad opened at Patriot Park in 2020. It sits directly across from Shades Valley Community Church, which hosts an award-winning Farmers Market each summer. Local youth softball, baseball and soccer leagues practice at the West Homewood Athletic Center, about a mile away.
Be sure to bring the dog to We Love Homewood Day.
Try the cotton candy at We Love Homewood Day.
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Easy access to Interstates 65 and 20
While Homewood itself may be walkable, a car is still necessary to navigate the Birmingham Metro Area. Along with Highway 31, Interstate 65 runs north-south through the city. Both routes link to Downtown Birmingham and Interstate 20 in about 5 miles. From I-20, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is only 5 miles east.
Crime
The Homewood Police Department Records Office says, in a 2023 annual crime report, the city had a violent crime rate of 16.3 reported incidents per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, that same year, Birmingham had a significantly higher violent crime rate, with 1,682 reported incidents per 100,000 people. Homewood's property crime rate was 54.9 reported incidents per 100,000 people, lower than Birmingham, which reported 9,570 incidents per 100,000 people.
Written By
Ryan Horton
Photography Contributed By
Tommy Daspit
Video By
Mark Barakat
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Homewood, AL sell after 8 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Homewood, AL over the last 12 months is $805,000, up 44% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully renovated 4BR/3BA home in the heart of Homewood! Zoned for Shades Cahaba Elementary. Bright open floor plan with updated kitchen, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Spacious primary suite plus 3 additional bedrooms. Finished basement with full bath offers ideal in-law suite or guest space with private entrance. Minutes from Downtown Homewood and Birmingham. Move-in
Welcome to Creekside at Trace Crossings! This beautiful full brick 3BR/2.5BA home sits at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac with a screened back porch viewing a flat, private fenced yard. The great room features vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, & a cozy fireplace that opens to the spacious kitchen with island, large dining area, walk-in pantry, white cabinets, subway tile backsplash, quartz
Charming Home in Highly Sought After West Homewood. Nestled on a spacious corner lot, this 3 Bedroom, 1.5 bath home offers endless potential. Featuring an inviting and functional floor plan with a generously sized family room, its a great space for everyday living and entertaining. Outside you will find a screened porch perfect for relaxing and spending time with family and friends. There is
Lindsey KenwrightLAH Sotheby's International Realty Homewood
Charming 2-bedroom condo in the sought-after Hermitage community in Homewood! This move-in ready unit features updated luxury vinyl plank flooring, fresh paint, and modern lighting throughout. Enjoy the convenience of main-level, walk-in access and extra storage not found in other models. Unwind in your private sunroom or take advantage of the community pool. Ideally located just minutes from
Beautifully renovated 4BR/3BA home in the heart of Homewood! Zoned for Shades Cahaba Elementary. Bright open floor plan with updated kitchen, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Spacious primary suite plus 3 additional bedrooms. Finished basement with full bath offers ideal in-law suite or guest space with private entrance. Minutes from Downtown Homewood and Birmingham. Move-in
Welcome to Creekside at Trace Crossings! This beautiful full brick 3BR/2.5BA home sits at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac with a screened back porch viewing a flat, private fenced yard. The great room features vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, & a cozy fireplace that opens to the spacious kitchen with island, large dining area, walk-in pantry, white cabinets, subway tile backsplash, quartz
Move-In Special: First month free if you move in by October 1, 2025. Location truly is everything! This stylish and well-appointed condo offers the perfect combination of comfort and convenience, all with a coveted Homewood address on Broadway — just minutes from downtown Birmingham, UAB, and Samford. The spacious split-bedroom floor plan provides ideal privacy, with two large bedrooms and
Valora at Homewood is located at 915 Valley Ridge Dr Homewood, AL. Valora at Homewood offers 1 to 3 bedroom apartments ranging in size from 725 to 2050 sq.ft. Amenities include Air Conditioner, Business Center, Cable Ready, Carpeting, Ceiling Fan and more. This rental community is pet friendly, welcoming both cats and dogs. Property is located in the 35209 ZIP code. For more details, contact our
This 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo in the heart of Homewood offers 864 sq. ft. of comfortable, low-maintenance living. Hardwood floors flow throughout the entire unit. Enjoy the convenience of an in-unit washer and dryer and relax on your private balcony. Rent includes water, trash removal, and sewer, and the community features a pool and ample parking. Located within walking distance to Downtown
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
