Alabama

Living in Alabama: affordable South with growing industry

Alabama combines some of the lowest housing costs in the country with a steadily diversifying economy. Birmingham has grown into a regional center for banking, healthcare and services, while Huntsville is a nationally important hub for aerospace, defense and engineering. The auto industry also has a large footprint, with assembly plants supporting supplier networks across the state.

Home prices and rents in most Alabama metros sit well below the national average, which is why paychecks stretch further here even though median incomes are modest. Property taxes are low by national standards. The trade-off is a thinner high-wage job market outside the main hubs, so remote workers and engineers tend to get the best of both worlds.

Quick answers: Alabama

Alabama vs the national average

• Income 18% below the national median ($75,561).
• Median home value 29% below the national median ($272,900).