Iowa
Moderate tax burden · COL index 88
Wins 10 categories
Alabama
Moderate tax burden · COL index 87
Wins 3 categories
Alabama's top income tax rate is 5% vs Iowa's 3.8%. Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs Alabama's 0.39%.
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
10
Iowa
3
Alabama
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 it cheaper to live in Alabama or Iowa?
Overall cost of living in Birmingham, AL is 2.5% lower than in Iowa City, IA. The average listing price for a home in Birmingham, AL is $417,139, which is 2.5% lower than Iowa City, IA. The average cost of groceries in Birmingham, AL is 3.0% higher than Iowa City, IA.
Is Iowa considered a good place to live?
What are the pros and cons of living in Alabama?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Alabama?