Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $900 in Alabama versus $916 in Georgia. Overall, Alabama runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Georgia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,687 in Alabama and $56,622 in Georgia — about 2% higher in Georgia. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
4%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
5.19%
+0.2 pp in Georgia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$900
$916
+2% in Georgia
Median Home Value
$148,500
$182,300
+23% in Georgia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,687
$56,622
+2% in Georgia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
63.3°F
65.2°F
+1.9°F in Georgia
Alabama vs Georgia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Georgia?
- Alabama is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $900 runs about 2% below Georgia's $916, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alabama than in Georgia?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Alabama versus $37,000 in Georgia.
- Which has lower taxes, Alabama or Georgia?
- Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Alabama/Georgia — 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.