Your Auburn, AL Real Estate Questions Answered

Central Alabama is a beautiful place to put down roots and call home. And one of the best places to live in this area of the state is Auburn. While many of us know this small city for its Auburn University and top-notch sports teams, there’s more to do in Auburn than attend college. This expanding city has established itself as a place for all generations.

Take a closer look at the Auburn metro and why it’s starting to gain more national attention as an ideal place to live. This guide will give you some information about why you should consider living in Auburn and profile its real estate market.

Where is Auburn, AL?

The Auburn metro is in East Central Alabama. We will include the city of Auburn and the neighboring town of Opelika, which is part of the greater Auburn metro. These two towns are on the north-south I-85 and sit between Montgomery and Columbus, Georgia.

What is the cost of living in Auburn, AL?

When you look at the numbers, Auburn may be just a little more expensive than Alabama’s living cost. However, it’s still below the national average. Sperling’s Best Places Index gives Auburn an overall 97.6 score, where the national average is set at 100. Alabama’s overall score is 84.1.

One of the reasons why Auburn is slightly more expensive than the rest of Alabama is healthcare. Residents also tend to pay a little more for utilities and grocery costs. However, as you’ll see, housing is still less than you’d pay in other cities nationwide. Auburn’s thriving economy is one of the reasons that the cost of living is higher here. The stability of having top-rated Auburn University in town means there is always a demand for goods and services.

What county is Auburn, AL in?

Lee County’s motto is the “Heart of Dixie.” It was named after Confederate General Robert E Lee. The eastern border is shared with Georgia, and its city of Columbus.

Auburn is its largest city and today is the county seat, although when the county was founded, Opelika had that distinction.

Auburn University is its main attraction, although it does have a Grand National Golf Course that is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

What is the average price of a home in Auburn, AL?

Data from the Alabama Center for Real Estate on Lee County in 2022 shows that the number of new listings and sales was down like much of the nation. The area’s median sales price was $334,629, a 15.1% increase from 2021. This follows a five-year trend of increasing median sale prices. The number of days on the market actually shrunk in 2022, with a median of 39 days throughout the year. The year had a 2.2-month supply of inventory, where six months represented a balanced market.

The forecast for 2023 has a decrease in close sales. Figures from January 2023 show the trend of declining inventory and the rising median price continued into the year’s start. The median sales price was $362,250, a 22% year-over-year increase.

Drilling into Auburn, the city had 385 homes for sale in March 2023. As one of the more expensive areas in the state, the median list price was $377,500. This broke down to a median $190 per square foot. This median price was an 11.7% increase over the prior year.

The least expensive listing was $24,900 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom manufactured home. The most expensive single-family home was a five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom, 9,520 sq ft home on almost an acre listed at $2.35 million.

Opelika had 391 listings at a median price of $310,700. Its median price per sq ft was $156, and overall prices ranged from $40,000 to $1.2 million.

Are there any condos or townhomes available in Auburn, AL?

As a college town, condos and townhomes provide affordable housing for its student population. However, these units are also ideal for anyone looking for a maintenance-free and affordable lifestyle with amenities included.

March 2023 had 18 condos in townhomes on the market. The most expensive was $420,000 for a four-bedroom, four-bathroom condo. The most affordable was $199,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo.

Opelika had 13 condos or townhomes available, mostly as new construction residences, with prices ranging from $249,900 to $290,000.

A local real estate agent can direct you toward the condos and townhomes with the amenities and location you’re looking for. However, some areas you can start looking at would be the Church Street Historic District, Longleaf Villas, Eagles Landing, Asbury Hills, and Central Park.

Is Auburn, AL growing?

It may feel like people are always coming and going from Auburn. Some of that is the transitory nature of being a college town. In actuality, if you look at Auburn over time, the city is slowly but steadily growing. From 2010 to 2020, it added over 23,000 new residents for an incredible 41.6% jump. From 2020 to 2021, it grew another 3.4%. It’s the fastest-growing city in the state.

Opelika is following a slow but steady population growth. It added only 4,000 new residents in the last decade but has grown 1.6% from 2020 to 2021. Some of the area’s longtime residents are turning to the city because the real estate prices are slightly lower. However, it still has an easy commute to Auburn.

What neighborhoods are in Auburn, AL?

Auburn and Opelika combined have over 40 neighborhoods and suburbs for you to consider living in. Many of these communities are in rolling hills and have established landscaping in mature trees. They have the amenities and location that you want. But come out to help get you started coming here or a few of the top choices. A local real estate agent can help you find great places to live.

Ashton Lakes is one community that you will hear a lot about. It has a great location to Auburn University and downtown. The planned community features executive homes spaced out around several private lakes. The neighborhood amenities include walking trails, a swimming pool, a kids’ area, and a grilling patio. It does have an HOA association.

Not to be confused with Ashton Lakes is Ashton Park, an established community center around a 17-acre park. It’s further away from town but has amenities like swimming pools and tennis courts. It has a charming look with Victorian-style street lamps, a roundabout, and sidewalks.

Farmville Lakes in north Auburn is a newer construction master-planned community. It has single-family and townhomes built around lakes. Near the clubhouse is a stocked fishing lake. At the clubhouse, residents will have a fitness center and swimming pool.

The Preserves is a master-planned community with wooded lots between Auburn and Lake Martin. Amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, and patio grills. Walking trails wind through the neighborhood, which is complemented by a series of lakes, a fishing pier, and covered bridges.

Woodward Oaks is another new development of over 500 homes built around an active lifestyle. Ten miles of multipurpose trails wind through the neighborhood. The community center includes a state-of-the-art fitness center. It’s close to the Auburn City Schools, a Publix, and Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Are there any waterfront properties found in Auburn, AL?

Auburn really isn’t a waterfront city, with no major lakes or rivers running

through it. However, you can find some real estate with some kind of

waterfront, usually a small lake, retention pond, or creek. March 2023 had

seven listings with some waterfront. The further you get from downtown Auburn, the more your chances go up of having a pond or creek in your backyard.

How is golf in Auburn, AL?

Residents of Auburn have access to at least five golf courses and even more in the greater metropolitan area. Public play is welcome at Indian Pines Golf Course, a municipal course run by Auburn and Opelika. It has 18 holes and measures 6,310 yards for a par 70 rating.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and the Grand National course were built on 600 acres along Lake Saugahatchee in Opelika. This venue has hosted PGA tour events and ranks among America’s top 50 affordable courses, according to Golf Digest. It has three 18-hole golf courses that are open to the public.

Auburn University Club is a private course just a few minutes from the Auburn University main campus. This golf club spans 225 acres with woodlands and rolling hills. It is the official home of the university’s Tiger Golf teams.

Morris Mill Golf Club is another private course on 18 holes in Auburn. The fairways meander through dense hardwoods and rolling terrain. The club amenities include swimming pools, a fitness center, childcare, and an outdoor pavilion for special events.

The Saugahatchee Country Club was rated one of the top five in the state by Golf Digest. This private country club has 18 holes of play in the Chattahoochee Valley.

Are there golf course communities in Auburn, AL?

A new golf course community is being constructed around Auburn University Golf Club. Clubview, part of Yarborough Farms, has homes under development as of 2023, with new construction and empty lots ready for you to design a custom home.

Another option is around the Moores Mill Country Club. Homes in Grove Hill have lots overlooking the golf course. Many homes are within walking distance of the country club in its amenities.

National Village in Opelika features cottage-style homes with access to a roster of amenities at the community’s Marriott resort. This includes play at Grand National Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

What areas are near Auburn, AL?

If you’re looking for adventure near Auburn, AL, you’re in luck! With Chewacla State Park, Tuskegee National Forest, Lake Oliver, and Lake Martin all within immediate reach, you can easily spend days exploring the outdoors by hiking through hardwood forests or boating on miles of freshwater.

Montgomery is only an hour away by car for a quick trip outside of city limits. Even more options are in Phenix City and across the Georgia border in Columbus.

What to know about living in Auburn, AL

Auburn is a college town, home to the legendary Auburn University and filled with college spirit. Thousands of college students swell the town numbers during the semester and bring the energy with nightclubs, indie events, and sports.

Beyond college life, Auburn also offers great public education opportunities for young families seeking a community to settle down in. Auburn City Schools are among the state’s best. Living in Auburn means access to plenty of recreation, from athletic fields to parks and nature trails, to keep the whole family active and healthy.

The downside to Auburn? The weather can spin up severe storms possible during certain months of the year. A tornado in 2019 devastated the Lee County area and killed over 20 people. You must be prepared for the weather to change quickly and for strong weather events, especially in the spring and fall.

So, if you’re interested in the college lifestyle or want access to some world-class outdoor activities, it’s hard to beat living in Auburn or next door Opelika. Contact a local real estate agent to find the right neighborhood for you.