Alabama vs California: Tax & Cost of Living Comparison
A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of taxes, cost of living, housing, income, and insurance costs between Alabama and California.
State 1
Alabama
AL
State 2
California
CA
| Category | Alabama | California |
|---|---|---|
| Income Tax Rate | 5.00%Better | 13.30% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.37%Better | 0.71% |
| Property Tax (on Median Home) | $777/yrBetter | $5,325/yr |
| Sales Tax Rate | 4.00%Better | 7.25% |
| Cost of Living Index | 89Better | 140 |
| Median Home Price | $210,000Better | $750,000 |
| Median Household Income | $56,500 | $85,300Better |
| Avg. Auto Insurance | $1,560/yrBetter | $2,200/yr |
| Avg. Home Insurance | $1,850/yr | $1,500/yrBetter |
Cost of Living Comparison
Index relative to national average (100)
Median Home Price
Alabama
$210,000
Property Tax: $777/yr
California
$750,000
Property Tax: $5,325/yr
Alabama homes are 72.0% cheaper than California homes.
Median Household Income
Alabama
$56,500
California
$85,300
California households earn $28,800 more per year on average.
Insurance Costs
| Type | Alabama | California | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Insurance | $1,560/yr | $2,200/yr | $640/yr |
| Home Insurance | $1,850/yr | $1,500/yr | $350/yr |
| Total Insurance | $3,410/yr | $3,700/yr | $290/yr |
Overall Financial Comparison
Weighted score combining income tax, property tax, sales tax, cost of living, housing, insurance, and income. A lower score indicates better overall financial affordability.
Alabama
39.3
More Affordable
California
150.3
The Bottom Line
Alabama offers lower income tax, lower property tax, lower sales tax, lower cost of living, more affordable housing compared to California. Meanwhile, California offers higher median income. Overall, Alabama edges ahead in our weighted financial comparison.
Alabama Advantages
- +Lower income tax
- +Lower property tax
- +Lower sales tax
- +Lower cost of living
- +More affordable housing
California Advantages
- +Higher median income