Compare states / Alabama
AL
Compare Alabama with other states
Alabama is a mid-sized Southern state: about 5.2 million residents, the 24th-largest population, at 103 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 5.0%; its effective property-tax rate of 0.37% is the 2nd-lowest among the 50 states. Homes cost less than in most places, with a median value of $238,703 (the 8th-lowest nationally).
Data: Alabama (revenue.alabama.gov, alea.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 5.0% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 9.46% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.37% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | County ad valorem on vehicles, about 0.70% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | No state minimum wage. Federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers. |
| Median home value | $238,703 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 4.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $18.00 |
| Registration (base) | $23.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 21 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 5,223,121 |
| Population density | 103.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 64.1% White (non-Hispanic) 5.1% Hispanic 26.7% Black 1.6% Asian |
| Violent crime | 359.9 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Alabama
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 5.0%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Alabama
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 4.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Alabama
- Get an AL driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Alabama.
- Title and register the car within 20 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Alabama elections site.
- Nurse license: Alabama is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Alabama: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Alabama compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 5.0% in Alabama vs 13.3% in California (lower in Alabama).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Alabama are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Alabama does not tax Social Security benefits (AL tax agency).
- Estate tax. Alabama has no state estate tax (AL tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Alabama has no state inheritance tax (AL tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Alabama $7.25 (federal).
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Alabama 4.00%.
- State parks. Alabama 21. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; AL 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (AL).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Alabama 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Alabama 20 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled