Education
Alabama vs California: School Spending
California spends more per pupil than Alabama by $6,635.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for school spending.
Alabama
#39 · $13,598
California
#14 · $20,233
Lowest
Highest
Top 10 States — School Spending
#1
New York
$30,012
New York
#2
Vermont
$28,818
Vermont
#3
New Jersey
$26,280
New Jersey
#4
Connecticut
$25,801
Connecticut
#5
Hawaii
$23,878
Hawaii
#6
New Hampshire
$22,978
New Hampshire
#7
Massachusetts
$22,947
Massachusetts
#8
Delaware
$22,201
Delaware
#9
Rhode Island
$22,110
Rhode Island
#10
Pennsylvania
$21,091
Pennsylvania
Selected states
#39
Alabama
$13,598
Alabama
#14
California
$20,233
California
Alabama ranks 39th and California ranks 14th nationally for school spending.
What this means
Alabama vs California: School Spending in context
California's school spending is $20,233, compared with $13,598 in Alabama, a gap of 48.8%. Per-pupil K-12 education spending (World Population Review 2025).
Alabama
$13,598
California
$20,233
Difference
$6,635
People also ask
Alabama vs California School Spending — common questions
QWhat is Alabama's school spending?
Alabama's school spending is $13,598.
QWhat is California's school spending?
California's school spending is $20,233.
QWhich state has a higher school spending — Alabama or California?
California spends more per pupil than Alabama by $6,635.
QHow much more school spending does California have compared to Alabama?
$6,635.
More comparisons: Alabama vs California
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
2025
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Nominal annual K-12 spending per student.