Selma 56 Below average
Selma Livability #407 ranked city in Alabama#22,550 ranked city in the USARanks better than 23% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Selma

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Selma?

Selma, Alabama is a medium-sized city with a population of 18,220 people. According to Census, the majority (83%) of Selma residents identify as Black or African American followed by 15% White and 1% Asian. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Selma, only 39% of the population is married.

Are you trying to decide if living in Selma is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Alabama, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like cost of living, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Selma and in the areas around Selma is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Selma has received a livability score of 56 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 24th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a lower than the US average livability score as Selma does not rank well for most categories. Based on the scores for each individual category, Selma has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (B). Selma does not score well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Selma has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Selma is real estate affordability. The median home price for Selma homes is $160,058, which is 32% lower than the Alabama average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Selma, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 11.1% higher than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Selma

See all the best places to live around Selma

How Do You Rate The Livability In Selma?

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Compare Selma, AL Livability

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      Selma transportation information

      Statistic Selma Alabama National
      Average one way commute22min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work87.0%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.0%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home1.7%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Selma, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.