Alabama
Among the top 22% of US states for affordability.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B+, better than 78% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 76% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 24% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade F, better than 10% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade F, better than 4% of US states
- top 2% for property tax rate
- top 10% for annual snowfall
- bottom 6% for walkability
Alabama is a U.S. state with about 5,028,000 residents. It grades B+ for affordability and F for lifestyle & connectivity. Standout strengths include property tax rate, annual snowfall, and monthly rent. It rates lower on summer humidity and walkability.
Official websitealabama.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Alabama is $182k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Alabama is $61k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Alabama is $926 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Alabama has a violent crime rate of 1540/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Alabama is 25 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$61k12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 80% of US states
Home Value$182k12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$926better than 82% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$61kbetter than 71% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.40%better than 98% of US states
Income Tax5.08%better than 50% of US states
Sales Tax9.29%better than 8% of US states
Estimated total tax burden9.37%better than 74% of US states
Unemployment5.2%better than 47% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)46°F82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)81°F80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation58.6 in96th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall0.8 inbetter than 90% of US states
Sunny Days248 daysbetter than 80% of US states
Summer Humidity71°Fbetter than 8% of US states
Comfortable Days85 daysbetter than 54% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk82.7better than 43% of US states
Air Quality49 AQIbetter than 24% of US states
School Quality43.4better than 18% of US states
Violent Crime1540/100kbetter than 20% of US states
Property Crime1607/100kbetter than 58% of US states
Community
Population5,028,09255th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.359th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4451st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.956th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2684th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)64.6%45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)26.2%90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)4.6%22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.4%14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.2%8th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time25 minbetter than 49% of US states
Walkability6.6/20better than 6% of US states
Airport Distance78 mibetter than 27% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access83.7%better than 12% of US states
Amenities Nearby2.06better than 29% of US states
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 20% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Alabama an affordable place to live?
- Alabama is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 80% of comparable areas. Median rent is $926.
- Is Alabama safe?
- Alabama is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1540/100k (better than 20%). Property crime is 1607/100k.
- What is the weather like in Alabama?
- Alabama averages 81°F in July and 46°F in January, with 58.6 in of annual precipitation and about 248 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Alabama?
- Public-school quality in Alabama is below average, scoring better than 18% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Alabama?
- The average one-way commute in Alabama is 25 min.