Housing

Alabama vs California: Rent to Income Ratio

Alabama has a lower rent to income ratio than California.

Alabama flag
Alabama
AL · South
Winner
20.2%
Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.
California flag
California
CA · West
26.5%
Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.

Visual comparison

Alabama20.2%
California26.5%

Difference: 6.30 percentage points — Alabama leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for rent to income ratio.

Alabama #28 · 20.2%
California #50 · 26.5%
Best Worst

10 Best States — Rent to Income Ratio

Lower is better
#1 North Dakota flag North Dakota
15.2%
#2 Iowa flag Iowa
15.5%
#3 South Dakota flag South Dakota
16.0%
#4 Nebraska flag Nebraska
16.5%
#5 Minnesota flag Minnesota
16.6%
#6 Wisconsin flag Wisconsin
17.2%
#7 Kansas flag Kansas
17.7%
#8 Missouri flag Missouri
17.8%
#9 Indiana flag Indiana
17.9%
#10 Wyoming flag Wyoming
17.9%
Selected states
#28 Alabama flag Alabama
20.2%
#50 California flag California
26.5%

Alabama ranks 28th and California ranks 50th nationally for rent to income ratio.

Related context

Rent Burden in Context

This ratio shows how much of a median paycheck goes straight to the landlord — the higher, the less breathing room renters have.

MetricAlabamaCalifornia
Median Gross Rent $925/mo $1,856/mo Median Household Income $54,943 $84,097
Income After Rent (mo.) $3,654/mo $5,152/mo
Median Home Value $174,600 $693,700 Cost of Living Index 88.6 138.5

What this means

Alabama vs California: Rent to Income Ratio in context

Alabama's rent to income ratio is 20.2%, compared with 26.5% in California. Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.

Alabama
20.2%
California
26.5%
Difference
6.30 percentage points

People also ask

Alabama vs California Rent to Income Ratio — common questions

QWhat is Alabama's rent to income ratio?

Alabama's rent to income ratio is 20.2%.

QWhat is California's rent to income ratio?

California's rent to income ratio is 26.5%.

QWhich state has a lower rent to income ratio — Alabama or California?

Alabama has a lower rent to income ratio than California.

More comparisons: Alabama vs California

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Full comparison
Median Housing Value Median Gross Rent Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage Owner Costs Without Mortgage Homeownership Rate Home Value to Income Ratio Owner Costs to Income Home Insurance Cost

Explore each state

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Data source and freshness

Primary source
U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 American Community Survey
Data period
ACS 2023 estimates
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
State values or ratios calculated from ACS fields.