Alabama
85
composite · rank #2
- Housing
- 67.7
- Grocery
- 95
- Utilities
- 96.9
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Alabama vs Kansas Cost of Living
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 2.6 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Alabama is lower
2.6 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Kansas is roughly $97,032 in Alabama.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Kansas
87.6
composite · rank #4
- Housing
- 77.5
- Grocery
- 95.3
- Utilities
- 97.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Alabama | Kansas | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 95 | 95.3 | Alabama |
| Housing | 67.7 | 77.5 | Alabama |
| Utilities | 96.9 | 97.4 | Alabama |
| Transportation | 88.8 | 88 | Kansas |
| Health care | 85.6 | 90.6 | Alabama |
| Misc. goods & services | 91.8 | 90.1 | Kansas |
Grocery
Alabama95
Kansas95.3
Lower cost: Alabama
Housing
Alabama67.7
Kansas77.5
Lower cost: Alabama
Utilities
Alabama96.9
Kansas97.4
Lower cost: Alabama
Transportation
Alabama88.8
Kansas88
Lower cost: Kansas
Health care
Alabama85.6
Kansas90.6
Lower cost: Alabama
Misc. goods & services
Alabama91.8
Kansas90.1
Lower cost: Kansas
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Kansas | Needed in Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $51,529 | $48,516 |
| $75,000 | $77,294 | $72,774 |
| $100,000 | $103,059 | $97,032 |
| $150,000 | $154,588 | $145,548 |
| $250,000 | $257,647 | $242,580 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Kansas$51,529
In Alabama$48,516
$75,000 origin salary
In Kansas$77,294
In Alabama$72,774
$100,000 origin salary
In Kansas$103,059
In Alabama$97,032
$150,000 origin salary
In Kansas$154,588
In Alabama$145,548
Housing gap
Alabama housing is 67.7; Kansas is 77.5.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Alabama is roughly $103,059 in Kansas.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Alabama vs Kansas cost of living FAQs
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 2.6 index points. The composite indexes are 85 in Alabama and 87.6 in Kansas (US average = 100).
About $103,059 in Kansas would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Alabama, based on the composite indexes.
About $97,032 in Alabama would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Kansas.
Housing indexes are 67.7 in Alabama and 77.5 in Kansas. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Alabama has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.