Alabama
85
composite · rank #2
- Housing
- 67.7
- Grocery
- 95
- Utilities
- 96.9
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Alabama vs Mississippi Cost of Living
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 1.2 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
1.2 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Mississippi is roughly $98,608 in Alabama.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Mississippi
86.2
composite · rank #3
- Housing
- 71
- Grocery
- 93.2
- Utilities
- 94.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Alabama | Mississippi | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 95 | 93.2 | Mississippi |
| Housing | 67.7 | 71 | Alabama |
| Utilities | 96.9 | 94.4 | Mississippi |
| Transportation | 88.8 | 89.8 | Alabama |
| Health care | 85.6 | 85.1 | Mississippi |
| Misc. goods & services | 91.8 | 93.7 | Alabama |
Grocery
Alabama95
Mississippi93.2
Lower cost: Mississippi
Housing
Alabama67.7
Mississippi71
Lower cost: Alabama
Utilities
Alabama96.9
Mississippi94.4
Lower cost: Mississippi
Transportation
Alabama88.8
Mississippi89.8
Lower cost: Alabama
Health care
Alabama85.6
Mississippi85.1
Lower cost: Mississippi
Misc. goods & services
Alabama91.8
Mississippi93.7
Lower cost: Alabama
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Mississippi | Needed in Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,706 | $49,304 |
| $75,000 | $76,059 | $73,956 |
| $100,000 | $101,412 | $98,608 |
| $150,000 | $152,118 | $147,912 |
| $250,000 | $253,529 | $246,520 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Mississippi$50,706
In Alabama$49,304
$75,000 origin salary
In Mississippi$76,059
In Alabama$73,956
$100,000 origin salary
In Mississippi$101,412
In Alabama$98,608
$150,000 origin salary
In Mississippi$152,118
In Alabama$147,912
Housing gap
Alabama housing is 67.7; Mississippi is 71.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Alabama is roughly $101,412 in Mississippi.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Alabama vs Mississippi cost of living FAQs
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 1.2 index points. The composite indexes are 85 in Alabama and 86.2 in Mississippi (US average = 100).
About $101,412 in Mississippi would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Alabama, based on the composite indexes.
About $98,608 in Alabama would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Mississippi.
Housing indexes are 67.7 in Alabama and 71 in Mississippi. 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.