MONTHLY MARKET UPDATE
Greater Birmingham, Alabama
June 2026 Edition | Reporting April 2026 Closings
THE GREATER BIRMINGHAM MARKET IN ONE PARAGRAPH
The Greater Birmingham housing market — Jefferson and Shelby counties — entered spring 2026 with real momentum. In April 2026, the median sales price across the two counties reached $350,000 on a healthy 1,047 closed sales, with homes selling at 100.3% of list price and a median of just 10 days on market. That median price marks a strong rebound from the winter, when the GALMLS Jefferson + Shelby price series dipped near $300,000 in December and January, and it sits roughly 6% above where the median ran a year earlier. The takeaway: well-priced homes across the metro are still moving quickly and at or above asking, while the seasonal spring surge has pushed prices back toward their cyclical highs. For buyers, competition remains real on move-in-ready listings; for sellers, spring 2026 is proving to be a genuinely strong window.
Greater Birmingham at a Glance — April 2026
Figures below are April 2026 residential closed sales for Jefferson + Shelby counties, pulled directly from Greater Alabama MLS (GALMLS) Statistical Reporting.
| Metric | April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Median Sales Price | $350,000 |
| Average Sales Price | $436,561 |
| Closed Sales | 1,047 units |
| Median Days on Market | 10 days |
| Average Days on Market | 39 days |
| Sale-to-List Price Ratio | 100.3% |
| New Listings (April) | 830 |
| 30-Yr Fixed Mortgage Rate | 6.48% |
Sources: Greater Alabama MLS (GALMLS) Statistical Reporting (Jefferson + Shelby, residential closed sales); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (June 4, 2026).
What the Numbers Mean for You
For Buyers
Spring 2026 is competitive but more navigable than the frenzy of a few years ago. The metro-wide median of $350,000 reflects Greater Birmingham’s wide spread — from value-priced entry points in the city and outlying communities to seven-figure homes over the mountain. The single most important number for buyers this spring is the median days on market: just 10 days. The best-priced, best-presented homes are going under contract in well under two weeks.
With homes selling at 100.3% of list price on average, lowball offers aren’t landing on the desirable listings. Come pre-approved, know your non-negotiables, and be ready to move quickly when the right home appears. The 30-year fixed averaged 6.48% the first week of June, down from a year ago — a modest but real tailwind for affordability.
Where’s the leverage? Look at homes that have been on the market longer than the area average, properties needing light updates, and the outer communities like McCalla where newer construction and a lower entry point ease the competition. Contact us to set up a search tailored to your price range and target neighborhoods.
For Sellers
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, spring 2026 is delivering. The April median of $350,000 represents a strong rebound from winter lows, and a sale-to-list ratio above 100% means well-prepared homes are commonly drawing offers at or above asking. A 10-day median time to contract tells the same story: demand for move-in-ready homes is strong.
That said, the average days on market (39 days) runs well above the median — proof that the market rewards preparation and punishes overpricing. The homes that linger are typically priced ahead of the comps or show poorly. Price to the recent sales in your specific community, invest in presentation, and you’re positioned to capture this spring window.
Curious what your home would bring in today’s market? Visit our seller resources or reach out for a personalized valuation tied to your exact neighborhood.
For Investors
Greater Birmingham remains one of the Southeast’s most fundamentally sound mid-size markets. The University of Alabama at Birmingham — the state’s largest single employer — anchors a stable, recession-resistant economy alongside major healthcare, banking, and insurance employers. That employment base keeps rental demand steady across cycles.
For investors, the wide price spread across Jefferson and Shelby is the opportunity. Entry-level and workforce housing in the city of Birmingham and communities like McCalla offer accessible price points and solid rent-to-price ratios, while the over-the-mountain communities offer stability and appreciation. With the spring surge pushing prices toward cyclical highs, disciplined underwriting matters — focus on cash flow, not speculation.
Greater Birmingham by Community
A metro-wide median tells only part of the story — Greater Birmingham spans some of Alabama’s most affluent communities and some of its best values, often within a few miles of each other. Here’s how the most-watched submarkets are positioned this spring. Click any community for its full guide.
| Submarket | Buyer Profile | Spring 2026 Read |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Brook | Luxury, prestige, over-the-mountain | Alabama’s most affluent address. Premium pricing holds firm; limited inventory and deep demand keep this the metro’s strongest high-end market. |
| Vestavia Hills | Family, move-up, top schools | Sustained demand driven by school reputation. Well-priced homes move fast; one of the most consistently competitive submarkets. |
| Homewood | Walkable urban-suburban, professionals | Tight inventory and broad appeal to young professionals and families. Strong price-per-square-foot; expect competition on updated homes. |
| Hoover | Suburban, amenity-rich, broad range | The metro’s volume leader across a wide price band. Steady, deep demand from families relocating for schools and space. |
| McCalla | Value, newer construction, growth | An accessible entry point with newer inventory. Popular with first-time and relocating buyers; the best leverage in this report. |
| Birmingham | Diverse, investment, revitalization | Enormous range from downtown lofts to established neighborhoods. Targeted revitalization pockets continue to draw investor interest. |
A Note on the Metro-Wide Median
Greater Birmingham’s $350,000 metro median sits far above the city of Birmingham’s own median because Jefferson and Shelby include premium communities like Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and large stretches of Hoover. When you read this report, remember that your specific community’s median may differ substantially from the two-county figure. That’s exactly why community-level guidance matters — reach out for numbers specific to your target neighborhood.
What to Watch Heading Into Summer
1. Can the spring price rebound hold?
The GALMLS Jefferson + Shelby price series shows the median climbing from near $300,000 in December and January back to $350,000 by April — a textbook seasonal spring surge. The question for summer is whether prices hold near these cyclical highs or ease as the selling season matures. Watch the May and June closings as they finalize.
2. Inventory and the pace of sales
April saw 830 new listings against 1,047 closed sales — more homes sold than were newly listed, which continues to draw down available inventory. If new listings don’t accelerate over the summer, the supply-demand balance will keep favoring sellers on well-priced homes. A genuinely balanced market sits near six months of supply; the Birmingham metro has run well below that.
3. Mortgage rates
The 30-year fixed sat at 6.48% as of June 4, 2026, modestly lower than a year ago. Every move lower pulls additional buyers off the sidelines — especially first-time buyers in the metro’s more affordable communities. The summer Fed decisions will be the key variable to watch.
4. UAB and the Birmingham jobs engine
UAB and the surrounding medical and research corridor remain the metro’s economic backbone. Continued growth in healthcare, banking, and insurance employment underpins housing demand across both counties and keeps Greater Birmingham among the most stable markets in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in the Greater Birmingham area right now?
The median sales price across Jefferson and Shelby counties was $350,000 in April 2026, based on Greater Alabama MLS residential closed sales. The average sale price was higher at $436,561, reflecting the metro’s wide range from value-priced communities to luxury markets like Mountain Brook. Your specific community’s median may be meaningfully higher or lower than this two-county figure.
Is Greater Birmingham a buyer’s or seller’s market in 2026?
As of spring 2026, Greater Birmingham favors sellers on well-prepared, well-priced homes. The April sale-to-list ratio of 100.3% means homes commonly sell at or above asking, and the median time to contract was just 10 days. That said, overpriced or as-is homes still sit — the average days on market was 39 — so the advantage belongs to sellers who price and present correctly.
How fast are homes selling in Birmingham?
In April 2026, the median home in Jefferson and Shelby counties went under contract in just 10 days. The average was longer at 39 days, which tells you the market is split: move-in-ready, well-priced homes sell almost immediately, while homes needing work or priced above the comps can take well over a month.
Which Birmingham suburbs are most competitive for buyers?
Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and Homewood are consistently the most competitive over-the-mountain submarkets, driven by school reputation and walkability. Hoover leads the metro in sales volume across a broad price range. Buyers seeking more leverage and a lower entry point often look to communities like McCalla.
Why is the Greater Birmingham median so much higher than the city of Birmingham’s?
The $350,000 figure covers all of Jefferson and Shelby counties, which include some of Alabama’s most affluent communities — Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and much of Hoover. The city of Birmingham’s own median is considerably lower. Metro-wide and city-specific medians answer different questions, so it’s important to look at data for your exact target area.
Are Birmingham home prices going up or down in 2026?
Greater Birmingham prices rebounded strongly in spring 2026. The Greater Alabama MLS price series for Jefferson and Shelby shows the median climbing from near $300,000 in the winter to $350,000 by April — roughly 6% above where it ran a year earlier. Prices typically peak in late spring and early summer, so the key question is whether this level holds through the warmer months.
Is now a good time to buy in Greater Birmingham?
For buyers who are financially ready, spring 2026 is workable despite real competition. Mortgage rates at 6.48% are modestly lower than a year ago, and while move-in-ready homes move fast, opportunities exist on homes that have been listed longer, properties needing light updates, and the metro’s more affordable communities. The right decision depends on your budget, timeline, and target area.
How are mortgage rates affecting the Birmingham market?
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.48% as of June 4, 2026, according to Freddie Mac — down modestly from a year ago. Lower rates improve affordability and tend to pull more buyers into the market, adding to competition for well-priced homes. Most forecasters expect rates to drift gradually lower through the back half of 2026.
Want the Numbers for Your Specific Neighborhood?
A two-county median is a starting point, not a strategy. Whether you’re buying, selling, or weighing your options across Greater Birmingham, we’d be glad to walk you through what the data means for your exact community and price range. Contact The Williams Group today.
The Williams Group at Keller Williams
(205) 292-7142
About the data: Greater Birmingham figures in this report cover Jefferson and Shelby counties and are sourced from Greater Alabama MLS (GALMLS) Statistical Reporting, reflecting residential closed sales for April 2026. Price-trend context is drawn from the GALMLS Jefferson + Shelby average-and-median price series (January 2025–May 2026). This edition establishes The Williams Group’s direct GALMLS two-county baseline; future monthly editions will report month-over-month and year-over-year changes against it. Real estate data is subject to revision as late filings post. For numbers specific to your community and a personalized analysis, contact The Williams Group directly.