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Moving from Washington to Alabama

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side. vs. Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

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
Washington
107.0
Alabama
88.8
Alabama has 17% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Alabama
61.8
Alabama has 51% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Alabama
97.2
Alabama has 4.5% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Alabama
98.3
Alabama has 2.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Alabama
17.2 ¢/kWh
Alabama has 19% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Alabama
97.8
Alabama has 3.6% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Alabama
$233,300
Alabama is 61% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Alabama
$889/mo
Alabama is 46% 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
Washington
79°F
Alabama
91°F
Alabama is 15% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Alabama
35°F
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Alabama
63°F
Alabama is 26% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Alabama
213
Alabama has 40% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Alabama
56 in
Alabama is 39% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Alabama
42
Alabama has 7.7% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Alabama
1 in
Alabama is 97% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonAlabama report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Alabama than Washington?

Alabama's overall price level is roughly 87.9 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — 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?

Washington 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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