Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,004 in Alabama versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Alabama, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $44,376 in Alabama and $51,707 in Ohio — about 14% higher in Ohio. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
5.75%
+1.8 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
2.75%
+2.3 pp in Alabama
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,004
$817
+19% in Alabama
Median Home Value
$138,600
$215,300
+55% in Ohio
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$44,376
$51,707
+17% in Ohio
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
63.3°F
52.7°F
+10.6°F in Alabama
Alabama vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 19% 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 Ohio?
- 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 $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Alabama or Ohio?
- Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alabama/Ohio — 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.