Alabama
85
composite · rank #2
- Housing
- 67.7
- Grocery
- 95
- Utilities
- 96.9
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Alabama vs West Virginia Cost of Living
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 2.9 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
2.9 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in West Virginia is roughly $96,701 in Alabama.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
West Virginia
87.9
composite · rank #5
- Housing
- 71.3
- Grocery
- 96.2
- Utilities
- 90.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Alabama | West Virginia | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 95 | 96.2 | Alabama |
| Housing | 67.7 | 71.3 | Alabama |
| Utilities | 96.9 | 90.4 | West Virginia |
| Transportation | 88.8 | 99.5 | Alabama |
| Health care | 85.6 | 89.5 | Alabama |
| Misc. goods & services | 91.8 | 94.9 | Alabama |
Grocery
Alabama95
West Virginia96.2
Lower cost: Alabama
Housing
Alabama67.7
West Virginia71.3
Lower cost: Alabama
Utilities
Alabama96.9
West Virginia90.4
Lower cost: West Virginia
Transportation
Alabama88.8
West Virginia99.5
Lower cost: Alabama
Health care
Alabama85.6
West Virginia89.5
Lower cost: Alabama
Misc. goods & services
Alabama91.8
West Virginia94.9
Lower cost: Alabama
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in West Virginia | Needed in Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $51,706 | $48,350 |
| $75,000 | $77,559 | $72,526 |
| $100,000 | $103,412 | $96,701 |
| $150,000 | $155,118 | $145,051 |
| $250,000 | $258,529 | $241,752 |
$50,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$51,706
In Alabama$48,350
$75,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$77,559
In Alabama$72,526
$100,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$103,412
In Alabama$96,701
$150,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$155,118
In Alabama$145,051
Housing gap
Alabama housing is 67.7; West Virginia is 71.3.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Alabama is roughly $103,412 in West Virginia.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Alabama vs West Virginia cost of living FAQs
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 2.9 index points. The composite indexes are 85 in Alabama and 87.9 in West Virginia (US average = 100).
About $103,412 in West Virginia would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Alabama, based on the composite indexes.
About $96,701 in Alabama would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in West Virginia.
Housing indexes are 67.7 in Alabama and 71.3 in West Virginia. 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.