Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,004 in Alabama versus $1,024 in Delaware. Overall, Alabama runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Delaware, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $44,376 in Alabama and $55,269 in Delaware — about 20% higher in Delaware. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
None
+4.0 pp in Alabama
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
6.60%
+1.6 pp in Delaware
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,004
$1,024
+2% in Delaware
Median Home Value
$138,600
$224,500
+62% in Delaware
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$44,376
$55,269
+25% in Delaware
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
63.3°F
54.9°F
+8.4°F in Alabama
Alabama vs Delaware — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Delaware?
- Alabama is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,004 runs about 2% below Delaware's $1,024, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alabama than in Delaware?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Alabama versus $41,000 in Delaware.
- Which has lower taxes, Alabama or Delaware?
- Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alabama/Delaware — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.