State Comparison

Alabama vs North Carolina

Alabama is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Alabama, North Carolina has higher incomes, North Carolina has lower state income tax, and North Carolina gets more sunshine.

Alabama

AL • South

Quality of Life Score

47.01

North Carolina

NC • South

Overall winner

Quality of Life Score

52.32

Alabama

15 / 30

metrics won

Score

Tie

North Carolina

15 / 30

metrics won

AL wins Housing

AL wins Quality of Life

AL wins Climate

NC wins Income

Quality of Life

Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.

Alabama

47.01

North Carolina winner

52.32

North Carolina scores higher on quality of life — 5.31 points difference.

Overview

Key differences overview

These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.

Overall Affordability

Alabama is 7.8 points cheaper overall

Alabama has the lower cost-of-living index. Alabama is at 88.6, while North Carolina is at 96.4.

View detailed comparison

Real Dollar Value

$100 goes $5.63 further in Alabama

After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $114.62 of local buying power in Alabama, versus $108.99 in North Carolina.

View detailed comparison

Income

North Carolina income is 16.4% higher

North Carolina has the higher median household income at $63,947, compared with $54,943 in Alabama.

View detailed comparison

Jobs

North Carolina has the higher minimum wage

North Carolina has the higher statewide minimum wage at $7.25/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in Alabama.

View detailed comparison

Housing

North Carolina homes cost about 1.6x more

Alabama has the lower median home value at $174,600, versus $273,600 in North Carolina.

View detailed comparison

Taxes

North Carolina has lower state income tax

North Carolina has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 4.50%, compared with 5.00% in Alabama.

View detailed comparison

Take-Home Calculator

What's Your Salary Really Worth?

Enter your gross income to see real purchasing power and the cost-of-living equivalent in both states.

Annual Gross Salary

or drag the slider

$10k$250k$500k

Alabama

Gross salary: —
State income tax (top rate 5.0%): —
After state tax: —
Real buying power (BEA RPP): —

North Carolina

Gross salary: —
State income tax (top rate 4.5%): —
After state tax: —
Real buying power (BEA RPP): —

Cost-of-Living Equivalent

—

* "After state tax" uses the top marginal rate — actual effective rate is lower for most incomes. Real buying power uses BEA Regional Price Parity (87.2 for Alabama, 95.2 for North Carolina). COL equivalent uses the MERIC/C2ER composite index.

Tradeoffs

Pros and cons for each state

A fast scan of the biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.

Alabama

At-a-glance strengths and tradeoffs

Pros: Alabama

Alabama has a lower overall cost of living.
Alabama has a lower housing cost index.
Alabama has lower median home values.
Alabama has lower property tax rates on average.
Alabama health coverage access proxy is stronger.

Cons

Alabama shows lower median income.
Alabama has a higher violent crime rate.
Alabama job growth trend is weaker.
Alabama health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
Alabama education proxy is lower.
Alabama has fewer sunny days.

North Carolina

At-a-glance strengths and tradeoffs

Pros: North Carolina

North Carolina shows higher median income.
North Carolina has a lower violent crime rate.
North Carolina job growth trend is stronger.
North Carolina health access/outcomes proxy is higher.
North Carolina education proxy is higher.
North Carolina has more sunny days.

Cons

North Carolina has a higher overall cost of living.
North Carolina has a higher housing cost index.
North Carolina has higher median home values.
North Carolina has higher property tax rates on average.
North Carolina health coverage access proxy is weaker.

Full Comparison

Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Capital City The official state capital.	Montgomery	Raleigh	Details ->
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Red	Swing State	Details ->
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	5,024,279	10,439,388	Details ->
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$54,943	$63,947	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	88.6	96.4	Details ->
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$174,600	$273,600	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.38%	0.66%	Details ->
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	5.00%	4.50%	Details ->
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$7.25/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$3.840/gal	$3.931/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	16.06 c/kWh	13.68 c/kWh	Details ->
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	47.01	52.32	Details ->
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	62.8°F	59.0°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	99 days	109 days	Details ->
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	52,419 sq mi	53,819 sq mi	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	95.8 per sq mi	194.0 per sq mi	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	December 14, 1819 (#22)	November 21, 1789 (#12)	Details ->

Population -> Median Income -> Cost of Living -> Median Housing Value -> Property Tax -> State Income Tax -> Minimum Wage -> Gas Price -> Electricity Rates -> Livability Score -> Average Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Land Area -> Population Density ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	5,024,279	10,439,388	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	95.8 per sq mi	194.0 per sq mi	Details ->
Bachelor's Degree Adults age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (ACS 2023).	28.9%	36.8%	Details ->
Advanced Degree Adults age 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (ACS 2023).	11.3%	13.8%	Details ->

Population -> Population Density -> Bachelor's Degree -> Advanced Degree ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$7.25/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->

Minimum Wage ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	47.01	52.32	Details ->
Best State to Live In Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.	47.01	52.32	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	88.6	96.4	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$3.840/gal	$3.931/gal	Details ->
Gas Tax State gasoline excise tax in cents per gallon. Lower = lower state fuel tax burden.	29.00 c/gal	40.50 c/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	16.06 c/kWh	13.68 c/kWh	Details ->
Commute Time Average commute time in minutes.	25.0 min	25.4 min	Details ->

Livability Score -> Best State to Live In -> Cost of Living -> Gas Price -> Gas Tax -> Electricity Rates -> Commute Time ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	62.8°F	59.0°F	Details ->
Summer Temperature Average statewide summer temperature across June, July, and August.	78.6°F	75.7°F	Details ->
Winter Temperature Average statewide winter temperature across December, January, and February.	46.5°F	42.1°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	99 days	109 days	Details ->
Annual Precipitation Average annual rain and snowfall combined, measured in inches.	58.3 in	50.3 in	Details ->

Average Temperature -> Summer Temperature -> Winter Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Annual Precipitation ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$174,600	$273,600	Details ->
Median Gross Rent Median gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars.	$925/mo	$1,142/mo	Details ->
Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households with a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Owner Costs Without Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households without a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Homeownership Rate Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied.	69.6%	66.7%	Details ->
Home Value to Income Ratio Median home value divided by median household income.	3.18x	4.28x	Details ->
Rent to Income Ratio Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.	20.2%	21.4%	Details ->
Owner Costs to Income Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income (ACS 2023).	14.8%	15.9%	Details ->

Median Housing Value -> Median Gross Rent -> Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage -> Owner Costs Without Mortgage -> Homeownership Rate -> Home Value to Income Ratio -> Rent to Income Ratio -> Owner Costs to Income ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	5.00%	4.50%	Details ->
State Sales Tax State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).	4.00%	4.75%	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.38%	0.66%	Details ->

State Income Tax -> State Sales Tax -> Property Tax ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Red	Swing State	Details ->
Presidential Voting Margin Signed 2024 presidential margin in percentage points (positive = Democratic, negative = Republican).	Rep +30.47	Rep +3.21	Details ->
Swing State / Battleground Whether the state was part of the core 2024 battleground map.	Not a battleground	Battleground	Details ->
Governor Party Current governor's party (NCSL partisan composition, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Democratic	Details ->
State House Control Current partisan control of the lower legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Republican	Details ->
State Senate Control Current partisan control of the upper legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Republican	Details ->
Trifecta Whether one party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican Trifecta	No Trifecta	Details ->

Presidential Voting Margin ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Gun Laws Status Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).	Permissive	Permissive	Details ->
Alcohol Laws Whether the state uses a control-state or license-state model for distilled-spirit sales (NABCA directory accessed April 6, 2026).	Control State	Control State	Details ->
Marijuana Legalization Current statewide marijuana status: Legal, Medical, or Illegal (NCSL state cannabis laws page updated June 27, 2025).	Medical	Medical	Details ->
Minimum Marriage Age Minimum marriage age with statutory exceptions. California has no statutory minimum age.	16	16	Details ->

Minimum Marriage Age ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	52,419 sq mi	53,819 sq mi	Details ->
Highest Point Highest natural point in the state, with summit elevation.	Cheaha Mountain (2,413 ft)	Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft)	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	December 14, 1819 (#22)	November 21, 1789 (#12)	Details ->
Capital City The official state capital.	Montgomery	Raleigh	Details ->
Region U.S. Census Bureau geographic region.	South	South	Details ->

Land Area -> Highest Point ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Life Expectancy Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).	73.2 yrs	75.7 yrs	Details ->
Older Adult Health Outcomes Composite score for comparing state health outcomes for older adults, using life expectancy, insurance coverage, and obesity prevalence.	34.9	48.3	Details ->
Uninsured Rate Share of residents without health insurance coverage.	8.5%	9.2%	Details ->
Obesity Rate Adult obesity prevalence.	38.9%	34.5%	Details ->

Life Expectancy -> Older Adult Health Outcomes -> Uninsured Rate -> Obesity Rate ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Violent Crime Rate Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).	447.8	346.4	Details ->
Property Crime Rate Property crime incidents per 100,000 residents.	1733.9	2098.5	Details ->

Violent Crime Rate -> Property Crime Rate ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
K-12 Education Rank US News Best States K-12 education sub-ranking (1 = best, 50 = worst).	#47	#34	Details ->
High School Graduation Rate 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate for public high schools (NCES).	91.0%	87.0%	Details ->
Student-Teacher Ratio Average number of pupils per teacher in public K-12 schools (NCES).	17.0:1	14.9:1	Details ->

K-12 Education Rank -> High School Graduation Rate -> Student-Teacher Ratio ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$54,943	$63,947	Details ->
Regional Price Parity Official price level relative to the national average (100 = U.S. average).	87.2	95.2	Details ->
Purchasing Power of $100 Real local value of $100 after adjusting for BEA Regional Price Parities.	$114.62	$108.99	Details ->
Poverty Rate Share of residents below the federal poverty line (ACS 2023).	15.6%	12.8%	Details ->
Employment/Population Ratio Employed civilian population as a share of the adult population (ACS 2023).	55.8%	59.5%	Details ->
Unemployment Rate Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (BLS, December 2025).	2.7%	3.9%	Details ->
Job Growth Change in total nonfarm payroll employment from December 2024 to December 2025 (BLS).	0.5%	1.6%	Details ->

Median Income -> Regional Price Parity -> Purchasing Power of $100 -> Poverty Rate -> Employment/Population Ratio -> Unemployment Rate -> Job Growth ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Hurricane Risk Relative hurricane exposure based on FEMA National Risk Index (None / Low / Moderate / High / Very High).	Moderate	High	Details ->
Tornado Risk Relative tornado exposure based on FEMA National Risk Index (None / Low / Moderate / High / Very High).	High	Moderate	Details ->
Earthquake Risk Relative seismic exposure based on FEMA National Risk Index (None / Low / Moderate / High / Very High).	Low	Low	Details ->
Wildfire Risk Relative wildfire exposure based on FEMA National Risk Index (None / Low / Moderate / High / Very High).	Low	Low	Details ->

Metric	AL	NC	Deep dive
Retirement Score Composite score for comparing states for retirement, combining affordability, taxes, housing, health, safety, and winter climate.	69.9	69.3	Details ->

Retirement Score ->

Intent-Oriented

Which state fits your priorities better?

Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.

6 of 17 shown

Saving Money

Alabama is cheaper overall

Overall cost-of-living index: 88.6 vs 96.4 in North Carolina. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.

See full data

Gas Price

Alabama is cheaper at the pump

Average regular gas price: $3.840/gal in Alabama vs $3.931/gal in North Carolina. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.

See full data

Electricity Rates

North Carolina has cheaper electricity

Average residential electricity rate: 13.68 c/kWh in North Carolina vs 16.06 c/kWh in Alabama. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.

See full data

Buying a Home

Alabama is more attainable for buyers

Home-value-to-income ratio: 3.18x in Alabama vs 4.28x in North Carolina. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.

See full data

Renting

Alabama is easier for renters

Rent-to-income ratio: 20.2% in Alabama vs 21.4% in North Carolina. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.

See full data

Property Tax

Alabama has lower property taxes

Effective property tax rate: 0.38% in Alabama vs 0.66% in North Carolina. A lower rate usually means a smaller yearly tax bill relative to home value.

See full data

Explore by Category

Dive Deeper

Each link opens a full one-on-one breakdown for that metric — national rankings, charts, and context.

Population

North Carolina has a larger population than Alabama by 5,415,109 people.

Population Density

North Carolina is more densely populated than Alabama.

Bachelor's Degree

North Carolina has a higher college-educated share than Alabama.

Advanced Degree

North Carolina has a higher advanced-degree share than Alabama.

Alabama vs North Carolina - Common Questions

Q Is Alabama cheaper to live in than North Carolina?

Alabama has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Alabama scores 88.6 versus 96.4 for North Carolina - a gap of 7.8 points.

Q Where does $100 go further - Alabama or North Carolina?

$100 goes further in Alabama. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $114.62 in Alabama, compared with $108.99 in North Carolina.

Q Which state is bigger - Alabama or North Carolina?

North Carolina is larger, covering 53,819 sq mi compared with 52,419 sq mi for Alabama - roughly 1.0x the size.

Q Does Alabama or North Carolina have more people?

North Carolina has the larger population at 10,439,388, compared with 5,024,279 in Alabama.

Q Which state has higher household income - Alabama or North Carolina?

North Carolina has the higher median household income at $63,947, versus $54,943 in Alabama.

Q Which state has lower income taxes - Alabama or North Carolina?

North Carolina has the lower state income tax top rate at 4.50%, compared with 5.00% in Alabama.

Q Is housing cheaper in Alabama or North Carolina?

Homes are cheaper in Alabama, where the median home value is $174,600, versus $273,600 in North Carolina.

Q Which state is more densely populated - Alabama or North Carolina?

North Carolina is more densely populated at 194.0 per sq mi people per sq mi. Alabama is more spread out at 95.8 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related Comparisons

Arkansas vs North Carolina

Delaware vs North Carolina

Methodology

All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.

Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.

Alabama vs North Carolina

Quality of Life

Key differences overview

Alabama is 7.8 points cheaper overall

$100 goes $5.63 further in Alabama

North Carolina income is 16.4% higher

North Carolina has the higher minimum wage

North Carolina homes cost about 1.6x more

North Carolina has lower state income tax

What's Your Salary Really Worth?

Pros and cons for each state

Alabama

Pros: Alabama

Cons

North Carolina

Pros: North Carolina

Cons

Full Comparison

Which state fits your priorities better?

Alabama is cheaper overall

Alabama is cheaper at the pump

North Carolina has cheaper electricity

Alabama is more attainable for buyers

Alabama is easier for renters

Alabama has lower property taxes

North Carolina is a swing state

North Carolina votes bluer

Alabama has a trifecta

North Carolina has lower income taxes

Alabama feels less crowded

Alabama has the shorter commute

Alabama looks better for job seekers

North Carolina looks better for remote workers

North Carolina looks better for families

Alabama is warmer overall

North Carolina gets more sun

Dive Deeper

Alabama vs North Carolina - Common Questions

Q Is Alabama cheaper to live in than North Carolina?

Q Where does $100 go further - Alabama or North Carolina?

Q Which state is bigger - Alabama or North Carolina?

Q Does Alabama or North Carolina have more people?

Q Which state has higher household income - Alabama or North Carolina?

Q Which state has lower income taxes - Alabama or North Carolina?

Q Is housing cheaper in Alabama or North Carolina?

Q Which state is more densely populated - Alabama or North Carolina?

Related Comparisons

Methodology