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Moving from Tennessee to Alabama

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge. vs. Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

TN state flag
Living now

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

AL state flag
Moving to

Alabama

Capital: Montgomery

Median household income $59,674 · winter low 35°F · 213 sunny days

Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

Alabama has an overall price level 88.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Tennessee
91.9
Alabama
88.8
Alabama has 3.3% lower overall price level
Housing index
Tennessee
79.1
Alabama
61.8
Alabama has 22% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.0
Alabama
97.2
Alabama has 0.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.8
Alabama
98.3
Electricity rate
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Alabama
17.2 ¢/kWh
Alabama has 14% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.4
Alabama
97.8
Alabama has 0.6% lower transportation
Median home value
Tennessee
$332,600
Alabama
$233,300
Alabama is 30% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Alabama
$889/mo
Alabama is 25% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 91°F · Winter low 35°F · 213 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Tennessee
89°F
Alabama
91°F
Alabama is 2.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Tennessee
30°F
Alabama
35°F
Alabama is 17% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Tennessee
58°F
Alabama
63°F
Alabama is 8.7% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Tennessee
207
Alabama
213
Alabama has 2.9% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Tennessee
54 in
Alabama
56 in
Alabama is 3.7% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Tennessee
50
Alabama
42
Alabama has 16% lower AQI
Snow / year
Tennessee
5 in
Alabama
1 in
Alabama is 80% less annual snowfall

Get the full TennesseeAlabama report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Alabama than Tennessee?

Alabama's overall price level is roughly 87.9 (US avg = 100), vs about 91.9 for Tennessee — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Tennessee tops out at 0% income tax. Alabama tops out at 5%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Alabama?

Most Alabama residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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