Alabama

Worst: Alabaster
2008 price change: -2.36%
Five-year price change: N/A
Median home value: $153,594
Population: 28,240

Located 20 miles south of downtown Birmingham, Alabaster is one the fastest-growing cities in the country. But it has also seen the average sales price fall 0.08% from September 2008. Of the 50 homes currently on the market, 43 are foreclosures.

Best: Montgomery (pictured)
2008 price change: 5.07%
Five-year price change: 4.38%
Median home value: $103,889
Population: 201,998

The capital of the state of Alabama is located on the Alabama River and is notable for its association with the Civil War and civil rights movement. Montgomery and the River Region offer a wide variety of employment opportunities in different fields from manufacturing to health care, service industry.