Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,004 in Alabama versus $978 in New Jersey. Overall, New Jersey runs roughly 3% cheaper on rent than Alabama, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $44,376 in Alabama and $48,416 in New Jersey — about 8% higher in New Jersey. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.625%
+2.6 pp in New Jersey
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
10.75%
+5.8 pp in New Jersey
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,004
$978
+3% in Alabama
Median Home Value
$138,600
$337,800
+144% in New Jersey
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$44,376
$48,416
+9% in New Jersey
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
63.3°F
54.9°F
+8.4°F in Alabama
Alabama vs New Jersey — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or New Jersey?
- New Jersey is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $978 runs about 3% below Alabama's $1,004, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alabama than in New Jersey?
- 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 $39,000 in New Jersey.
- Which has lower taxes, Alabama or New Jersey?
- Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alabama/New Jersey — 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.