Alabama
Moderate tax burden · COL index 87
Wins 6 categories
Illinois
High tax burden · COL index 92
Wins 9 categories
Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs Alabama's 0.39%. Politically, Alabama voted Republican in 2024 (R+28.0) while Illinois went Democratic (D+14.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
6
Alabama
9
Illinois
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Is Alabama cheaper than Illinois?
Which state has a lower cost of living? Alabama has a lower cost of living index compared to Illinois, with a score of 87.2 versus 96.4, respectively. However, Illinois has a more robust public transportation system, which can offset some of the costs associated with car ownership.
Is Alabama considered a good state to live in?
Is Illinois the best state to live in?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Alabama?