By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Several Shelby County cities have among the lowest costs of living in the state, according to a ranking recently compiled by a national ranking website.

Niche.com recently released its list of the suburbs with the lowest cost of living in Alabama, and based the rakings on the consumer price index and access to affordable housing. The listings were based 15 percent on the home value to income ratio, 15 percent on median home value, 15 percent on median rent, 15 percent on the monthly housing cost to income ratio, 10 percent on median gas prices, 10 percent on grocery prices, 10 percent on the median effective property tax, 5 percent on the rent to income ratio and 5 percent on the state tax share.

Leeds, which is partially in Shelby County, ranked the highest of cities in the county, coming in a No. 9. Leeds earned a cost of living grade of A- and an overall Niche.com grade of B+.

Shelby County’s largest city, Alabaster, came in next with a ranking of No. 24 on the list, and earned a cost of living grade of B+ and an overall Niche.com grade of A.

Calera, which is just south of Alabaster, came in at No. 26 on the list, earning a cost of living grade of B+ and an overall Niche.com grade of A.

The second-largest city in Shelby County, Pelham, came in at No. 30 on the list, and earned a cost of living grade of B+ and an overall Niche.com grade of A.

The Shelby County seat, Columbiana, ranked No. 33 on the list, earning a cost of living grade of B+ and an overall Niche.com grade of B.

Helena came in at No. 35 on the list, earning a cost of living grade of B and an overall Niche.com grade of A.

Following Helena was Montevallo, which came in at No. 37 with a cost of living grade of B and an overall Niche.com grade of B+.

Meadowbrook, which is off U.S. 280 in northern Shelby County, came in at No. 39 on the list, with a cost of living grade of B and an overall Niche.com grade of A.

Hoover, which is partially in Shelby County, ranked 40^th on the list, earning a cost of living grade of B and an overall grade of A+.

Rounding out Shelby County’s showing on the list was Chelsea, which came in at No. 41. Chelsea earned a cost of living grade of B and an overall Niche.com grade of A.

To view the entire list, visit Niche.com/places-to-live/search/suburbs-with-the-lowest-cost-of-living/s/alabama.