Living in Auburn, AL
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Auburn, AL? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Auburn, AL

One thing you’ll quickly notice after moving to Auburn, AL, is that those who call it home are bursting with community pride. It’s warranted as there’s so much to be excited about in this eastern Alabama college town, including a nationally ranked public school system, a diverse population, an excellent arts and culture scene and the cheerful school spirit that spills over from Auburn University. With a population of 80,478, the city is known for being one of the more progressive cities in the south. Safety and the welcoming nature of residents helped land Auburn on this list of 100 best places to live in the U.S. 

As a member of the SEC (one of the top athletic conferences in the country), the University plays host to major sporting events year-round, and game days are big here — so much so that Jordan-Hare Stadium becomes Alabama’s fifth-largest city on football Saturdays. Auburn University is steeped in tradition, but a quick primer for new arrivals to the city: The mascot is Aubie the Tiger, the fight song is “War Eagle” and you can find fan gear at a number of shops or the Auburn University Bookstore. 

Other points of pride stemming from the school: Six NASA astronauts and three past directors of Kennedy Space Center graduated from Auburn University, and cancer research is a top focus of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, with researchers playing a pivotal role in helping our pets live longer healthier lives.

As the city of Auburn grows, local leaders are committed to preserving wide-open green spaces so that residents have plenty of parks and trails to enjoy. A top park for families with young kids is Hickory Dickory, which looks like a live-action set from a children’s book. 

The city is also all about the arts: The Jule Museum at Auburn is a free art museum with changing exhibitions, a couple of works from renowned surrealist Salvador Deli and a really cool events calendar that invites the community in for things like yoga, children’s story times inspired by art, and artist discussions. Residents can stay updated with all the happenings on the museum’s Instagram page — which will quickly become one of your most entertaining follows — and by tuning into the museum’s podcast.

Another perk of living in Auburn is that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is reachable in one and a half hours, and popular vacation spots along the Gulf of Mexico are reachable within three hours.

Auburn is a vibrant, college-spirited city tucked into eastern Alabama, about 55 miles east of Montgomery, where Interstate 85 runs through the rolling plains. The nearest major airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, is 100 miles northeast. And Columbus Airport in Georgia is just 40 miles away, accommodating regional flights. When you’re ready to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Montgomery, AL, is just 55 miles southwest, where visitors can visit the Alabama State Capitol and the Rosa Parks Museum or stroll the Riverfront Park.
• Atlanta, GA, sits 100 miles northeast, where you can dive into the Georgia Aquarium, sip at the World of Coca-Cola or cheer on the Braves at Truist Park.
• Birmingham, AL, is 110 miles northwest, where you can visit the Birmingham Museum of Art, explore the Civil Rights Institute, or cheer at Regions Field.

The area has a typical Southern climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Don’t forget your umbrella — Auburn gets a good amount of rain, about 48 inches a year. You’ll get a mix of sun and clouds throughout the year.

The dynamic local economy has experienced considerable growth in recent years and is significantly influenced by Auburn University. The three most prominent industries in Auburn are education, manufacturing and retail trade. The city’s largest employers include Auburn University, GE Aerospace and East Alabama Health. Additionally, the Auburn economy is supported by many businesses catering to the university and surrounding communities. 

The cost of living in Auburn is lower than the national average. The median home value in Auburn is $318,639, and the average household income is $95,318. 

Alabama residents pay a state income tax, and those living here can expect a 9.0% sales tax rate in 2025.

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Because Auburn is a quintessential college town, that comes with some quirky traditions. At the intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue are some stunning oak trees that mark the symbolic heart of Auburn. This cozy part of campus is known as Toomer’s Corner.

After the university wins a major game, particularly during football season, fans flock to Toomer’s Corner and celebrate by throwing rolls of toilet paper into the oak trees. It’s a scene like no other, with excited fans cheering and singing Auburn’s fight song — War Eagle. Unfortunately, in 2010, a scorned Alabama fan poisoned the trees (fun fact: his kid’s names were Crimson and Bear, as in Crimson Tide and Bear Bryant). However, new oaks were planted, and the tradition continued. The best part? The community comes together again when a group of volunteers known as the Toomer’s Corner Clean-Up Crew works to remove the toilet paper. Rolling Toomer’s Corner is one of the most fun traditions in college sports.

Cheer on the home team! In addition to football, sports fans can cheer on the women’s and men’s basketball teams, gymnastics athletes, the baseball team and more. 

The largest park is Kiesel Park, which has a garden, pond, pavilion, 2.25-mile walking trail and the historic Nunn-Winston house. In addition to regular park hangouts at Kiesel, this is the spot that hosts some of the city’s most popular events, like the Fall Sundown Concert Series, The Auburn CityFest and an annual Easter egg hunt. Round up your friends for a night out. Some options include Bunkers, where groups can play golf on simulators or Piccolo 241, a tucked-away jazz and cocktail bar. If you’re feeling crafty, you can pour your own candles and choose from dozens of scents at Auburn Candle Company. If you’re interested in the arts, Telfair Peet Theatre hosts half a dozen performances throughout the year or enjoy live music with Sundilla Radio Hour.

Auburn is home to Chewacla State Park, a nearly 700-acre park where you can enjoy the soundscape of the cascading Chewacla Waterfall and cool down in its mists, plus go hiking and biking on the trails. The state park also features a large lake for swimming and kayaking.

For a peaceful escape within the city, check out the Donald E. Davis Arboretum, a 13.5-acre botanic garden with walking trails and water features and annual events like an azalea festival, spring and fall plant sales and a photo contest, to name a few. A dozen parks are maintained by the city, including Dinius Park, which has plenty of shade, playground equipment and a couple of dog parks for the furry members of your family.

Kreher Preserve & Nature Center is another community jewel that hosts nature walks, hikes, youth camps and more. The most beloved annual event is the family-friendly Leprechaun Hike each March when kids can tromp through the magical woods searching for leprechauns. Lake Martin, a 44,000-acre lake lined with 750 miles of wooded shoreline, is a popular place to spend a summer afternoon. Just 25 miles from Auburn, residents slip away to boat, fish, water ski and swim here.

Auburn’s dining scene ranges from the classics like Toomer’s Drugs, an institution since 1896 where you can get famous lemonade, to modern restaurants like Arrica, an Italian spot in a secret garden-like setting. One of the most unique dining experiences you can have here is at 1856, which is a teaching restaurant that has a chef and master sommelier in residence as well as a menu that sources produce and herbs from the rooftop garden that’s tended to by Auburn University’s Horticulture Program. Newcomers can discover their favorite cafe by taking a trip along the Auburn + Opelika Coffee Shop Trail. 

Schools in Auburn offer a diverse educational landscape, with a strong emphasis on public and private school options. Auburn City Schools are generally well regarded and known for their academic excellence. ACS is Alabama’s fastest-growing school district and is consistently recognized for its academic achievements. For parents looking to take the private school path, the city has a selection of private schools, including religious-affiliated schools and independent institutions.Recognized for both its academic programs and passionate fan base, Auburn University plays a significant role in the city’s culture and economy. Auburn University has a strong reputation in various disciplines, including engineering and veterinary medicine. As a land-grant university, Auburn has a long-standing tradition of excellence in agricultural education. The Park at Auburn opened in 2008 on the university’s campus and is a research park that helps promote entrepreneurship.