Alabama
Moderate tax burden · COL index 87
Wins 8 categories
Alaska
Low tax burden · COL index 126
Wins 5 categories
Alaska has no state income tax. Alabama's top rate is 5%. Cost of living in Alaska (index 126) runs 45% higher than Alabama (index 87). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Alaska averages 1.04% annually vs Alabama's 0.39%. The median home in Alaska costs $340K vs $218K in Alabama.
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
8
Alabama
5
Alaska
Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.
Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Do you get $1000 for living in Alaska?
Alaska has one of the longest-running incentive programs in the country: the Permanent Dividend Fund. Started in 1976, it pays every resident an annual stipend as long as they lived in Alaska during the previous calendar year. The amount depends on the state's annual revenue, but averages around $1,600.
How much is 1 gallon of milk in Alaska?
What I wish I knew before moving to Alaska?
Not only should you be prepared for the cold, but you should also be ready for rapidly changing weather, too. Many people think Alaska is cold year-round. And while that's not true, there are long stretches of cold, wintry days. It's essential to be prepared before moving there with a warm jacket and waterproof boots.
Is Alabama considered a good place to live?
Alabama has a lot to offer, from affordable living and Southern hospitality to beautiful coastlines and outdoor recreation. The cost of living is significantly lower than the national average, and cities like Huntsville and Birmingham have growing job markets, particularly in tech, aerospace, and healthcare.