By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

Three cities within Shelby County were once again recognized on a top list calculated by the national ranking website Local.niche.com for its new 2015 rankings.

Of the 18 cities ranked in the Birmingham metro area, three Shelby County cities were listed in the top five as best suburbs in the Birmingham metro area.

Pelham came in as the number three city, Helena was ranked number four and Montevallo was ranked number five.

According to Niche, the rankings were compiled based on livability using grades for weather, safety, schools, access to activities, jobs, housing and transportation. A high ranking indicates that a suburb offers a high quality of life to its residents.

Pelham and Helena received the highest grades for community, housing and education while Montevallo received the highest grades for education, community and easiest commute.

Niche used a weighted grading system of different factors which included things to do, easiest commute, education, community, housing, jobs, crime and safety, health and fitness, outdoor activities and weather.

The factor that carried the most weight at 20 percent was the things to do factor followed by easiest commute at 15 percent.

The cities were graded on these factors and the list was compiled.

Vestavia Hills was ranked number one on the list and Mountain Brook came in ranked number two.

Pelham, Helena and Montevallo also made the lists of best suburbs to raise a family and safest suburbs in the Birmingham metro area.

To view the rankings and other top lists you can visit https://smartasset.com/mortgage/how-much-house-can-i-afford#alabama

Helena, Calera and Alabaster were recently named most affordable places to live in the state of Alabama by SmartAsset.com.