Alabama
Alabama ranks #43 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 40.6/100 and a D grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (84/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (7/100).
How Does Alabama Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Alabama
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Madison | A+ | 69.4 | 58,335 | $131,436 | 117.9 | 95.8 |
| 88 | Vestavia Hills | A+ | 64.0 | 38,704 | $129,171 | 76.6 | — |
| 138 | Hoover | A | 62.1 | 92,459 | $102,009 | 78 | 92.6 |
| 252 | Alabaster | B+ | 58.8 | 33,633 | $90,163 | 105.5 | — |
| 257 | Daphne | B+ | 58.6 | 28,673 | $86,479 | 52.1 | 94.7 |
| 473 | Prattville | B | 53.5 | 38,850 | $79,396 | 257.3 | — |
| 524 | Auburn | C+ | 52.4 | 82,030 | $52,259 | 179.8 | 88.9 |
| 531 | Huntsville | C+ | 52.3 | 227,571 | $73,319 | 450.2 | 94.4 |
| 635 | Northport | C+ | 50.0 | 30,991 | $77,781 | 436.5 | — |
| 686 | Opelika | C | 48.6 | 31,944 | $58,763 | 697.7 | 88.9 |
| 711 | Decatur | C | 48.1 | 57,760 | $59,831 | 494.8 | 90.1 |
| 747 | Florence | C | 46.9 | 41,231 | $50,396 | 504 | 85.6 |
| 766 | Montgomery | C | 46.4 | 195,275 | $57,300 | 133.5 | 90.8 |
| 803 | Enterprise | D | 45.1 | 28,990 | $68,306 | 757.1 | — |
| 867 | Tuscaloosa | D | 42.7 | 111,339 | $43,235 | 564.2 | 90 |
| 900 | Dothan | D | 41.5 | 71,577 | $54,598 | 924.1 | 88.3 |
| 936 | Mobile | D | 39.8 | 182,594 | $50,156 | 892.3 | 89.4 |
| 970 | Phenix City | F | 37.0 | 38,477 | $49,715 | 894.6 | — |
| 974 | Gadsden | F | 36.7 | 33,617 | $38,699 | 635.1 | 87 |
| 978 | Birmingham | F | 36.0 | 196,518 | $44,951 | 1553.1 | 92.6 |
Best Cities in Alabama for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | 67.7 | 58.0 | 92.6 | 72.9 |
| 2 | Vestavia Hills | 65.8 | 69.5 | 95.6 | 61.6 |
| 3 | Hoover | 65.3 | 67.0 | 91.4 | 72.6 |
| 4 | Daphne | 62.6 | 54.5 | 95.4 | 75.2 |
| 5 | Alabaster | 61.9 | 62.8 | 88.0 | 69.9 |
More South States
Alabama Rankings Overview
Alabama earns an overall grade of D with a composite score of 40.6 out of 100, ranking #43 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (84/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (7/100).
Economy & Employment in Alabama
With an unemployment rate of 2.7% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Alabama performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $59,613, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Alabama
Alabama's violent crime rate of 424 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Alabama
Alabama ranks #46 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #41 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Alabama is 74.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 92%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Alabama
Alabama's total tax burden is 7.99% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 4.15%. The effective property tax rate is 0.39% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.46%.
Housing & Affordability in Alabama
The median home price in Alabama is $281,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 90 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
Environment in Alabama
Alabama has a median air quality index of 42 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 9% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 31.1 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Alabama
Alabama's population growth rate is +0.6% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +5.1 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 85% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Alabama
The top-ranked cities in Alabama based on our composite scoring are Madison, Vestavia Hills, and Hoover. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Alabama.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alabama's overall ranking?
Alabama ranks #43 out of 50 states with a composite score of 40.6/100 and a grade of D.
Is Alabama a good place to live?
Alabama scores 40.6/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Alabama?
The violent crime rate in Alabama is 424 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Alabama's economy compare?
Alabama's median household income is $59,613 with an unemployment rate of 2.7%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Alabama?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Alabama are Madison, Vestavia Hills, and Hoover.
How does Alabama rank for families?
Alabama ranks #42 of 50 states for families with a score of 40.8/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Alabama rank for retirees?
Alabama ranks #46 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 46.1/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Alabama rank for remote workers?
Alabama ranks #31 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 53.2/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.