← All States

Alabama

Moderate tax burden · COL index 87

Wins 7 categories

VS

District of Columbia

High tax burden · COL index 152

Wins 6 categories

District of Columbia's top income tax rate is 10.75% vs Alabama's 5%. Cost of living in District of Columbia (index 152) runs 75% higher than Alabama (index 87). The median home in District of Columbia costs $640K vs $218K in Alabama. Politically, Alabama voted Republican in 2024 (R+28.0) while District of Columbia went Democratic (D+87.0).

Alabama
District of Columbia

Taxes

5%
Income Tax (top rate)
10.75%
0.39%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.56%/yr
9.22%
Sales Tax (avg)
6%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
No
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

87
COL Index (100=avg)
152
$218K
Median Home Price
$640K
$1,050/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$2,900/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

547
Violent Crime / 100K
750
2,247
Property Crime / 100K
3,600

Healthcare

#41 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#5 of 50
73.2 yrs
Life Expectancy
77.1 yrs
11.2%
Uninsured Rate
3.9%
No
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#44 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#40 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
Yes

Childcare

$820/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$2,350/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$155/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$130/mo
$410/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$620/mo
#25 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#48 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
A
R+28.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+87.0

Category wins

7

Alabama

6

District of Columbia

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

Is the District of Columbia a good place to live?

Is Alabama, USA a good place to live?

In addition to being a great place to work, Alabama is an incredible place to live. With vibrant communities, rich natural beauty, sports, and activities, Alabama has a lot to offer you and your workforce.

What does Alabama have that no other state has?

What's the best place in Alabama to live?

Full Alabama Profile →Full District of Columbia Profile →

Your Priorities

Adjust and every page updates live

Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable