Cost of Living in Alabama: Expenses You Need to Know

Alabama is a fantastic state situated in the southeastern region of the United States. It is known as the Heart of Dixie and is bordered by Georgia on the east, Mississippi on the west, Tennessee on the north, and Florida on the south. Alabama also has a coastline in the Gulf of Mexico. However, if you wish to settle here for higher study or a job, you have to bear its set of expenses and make a budget for the cost of living in Alabama.

Understanding the cost of living in Alabama is important so that you can manage your budget accordingly before moving here in this amazing place. In the article below, we have examined the different aspects of the cost of living in Alabama. These details of expenses will assist you in making the selecting of things according to your budget and capability in Alabama. Without any more delay, let’s delve into our conversation.

What is the Cost of Living in Alabama?

The average cost of living in Alabama is around USD 1861 for a single person including rent. It is around 1.18 times lower than the average cost of living in the United States according to livingcost. Alabama attracts people worldwide for its amazing living standards, excellent business ecosystem, handsome salary and high-quality education system with advanced programs.

Before thinking of moving to Alabama, individuals should know how much money they should keep with them so that they can live comfortably in Alabama. Here, we have divided the average cost of living in Alabama into different categories for the emigrants who wish to move here. Please have a look: 

Also Read: Cost of Living in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide on Wales’s Expense

Costs of Housing Rent in Alabama

If you are thinking of renting an apartment or room in Alabama, it’s very important to get the right place according to your budget. Renting costs are a major part of the cost of living in Alabama. The cost depends on the area and the type of apartment you are selecting. 

We’ve provided the average renting cost around the Alabama area in the table below for your reference. It will give you an overview of the average rent of apartments in the city and outside the city centre below:

Apartment Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
One-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 1,078
One-bedroom Apartment Outside of Centre	USD 840
Three -bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 2009
Affordable Three -bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	USD 1675

Cost of a Utility in Alabama 

 In the cost of living budget in Alabama, it is also important to consider the cost of utilities there. The basic utility costs in Alabama include things like electricity, water, gas, heating, and others. Understanding these utility costs and bills in Alabama will help you manage your expenses. Please note that you can save money if you utilise the utility properly without wasting it. 

Utility Type	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage)	USD 127
Internet (60 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly)	USD 65.1
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	USD 75

Cost of Grocery in Alabama

Knowing the cost of groceries in Alabama is important to figuring out the overall cost of living in Alabama. Grocery items include fruits, vegetables, milk, bread, water, and other foods you need every day. 

Generally, the cost of groceries in Alabama is less than other living expenses in the city. However, it also depends on the quality and variety of each grocery product you select. The table below lists the average cost of groceries in Alabama: 

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Regular Milk, (1 litre)	USD 1.02
500g Fresh White Bread	USD 3.51
1kg white Rice	USD 4.09
A dozen Eggs (regular)	USD 3.82
1kg Apples	USD 5.64
1kg Banana (1kg)	USD 1.7
1kg Oranges (1kg)	USD 4.44
1kg Tomato (1kg)	USD 4.5
1kg Potato (1kg)	USD 2.79
1kg Onion (1kg)	USD 2.74
1 litre bottle of Water	USD 1.25

Also Read: Cost of Living in Chelmsford: Is it Expensive to Live in Chelmsford, UK?

Restaurant Food Costs in Alabama

In Alabama, dining out at a restaurant is an amazing experience; food costs in the restaurants here play an important role in deciding a budget for the cost of living in Alabama. Costs of food in restaurants here depend on various factors, such as the type of restaurant you prefer, location, and cuisine an individual prefers.

Generally, dining out at nearby restaurants can be more expensive than cooking in a room or apartment in Alabama. For your reference, in the table below, we have given the list of the average restaurant food costs in Alabama: 

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal at Lunch in inexpensive restaurant	USD 15.9
Meal in a Restaurant, for 2 person	USD 61.1
Meal that is equiv. to McDonald’s	USD 10.6
Cappuccino	USD 5.19

Transportation Costs in Alabama

To move around the Alabama area, you can use local transport such as buses, trains, or cabs. The average monthly cost of local transportation might affect your cost of living in Alabama’s budget if you choose other means of transport, like renting a car or bike.

You’ll need to know the cost of monthly passes for regular public transportation in Alabama. For your reference, we have given the average cost of transportation in Alabama. Check out the table below:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Local transport ticket	USD 2.45
Monthly ticket in a local transport	USD 61.8
Taxi Ride for 5 km tariff	USD 21.1
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal	USD 0.84

Also Read: Cost of Living in China: A Comprehensive Guide on China’s Expenses

Cost of Apparel in Alabama

The cost of apparel in Alabama can be decided by multiple factors, such as your shopping habits, seasonal clothes, and the quality you prefer in apparel. The apparel budget is also a crucial part of the cost of living in Alabama.

For your reference, we have included the average cost of apparel like jeans, shoes, and summer dresses. Check out the table below to keep an idea about the costs of apparel across Alabama City:

Clothes	Approx Cost
Pair of Brand Jeans	USD 51
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store	USD 45
Brand Shoes	USD 99

Average Tuition Fees in Alabama

Having an estimation of the average tuition fees in the universities in Alabama can help students make a budget for their education. They can select their desired university according to their budget and marks. However, the tuition fees can vary according to the university selection and the type of courses you select. 

Understanding tuition fees along with the costs of living in Alabama is important for deciding the best path for your higher education journey. Take a look at the table below to get an overview of the average tuition fees in Alabama:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
The University of Alabama	USD 33,200
Auburn University	USD  33,944
University of Alabama at Birmingham	USD 26,520
Samford University	USD 38,144
University of Alabama at Huntsville	USD 24,770

Things to Know When Moving Alabama

Moving to an amazing place like Alabama for higher studies or a job is an exciting journey for anyone. Still, before moving there, it’s essential to consider a few important things, along with the average cost of living in Alabama. So that you can better plan your journey in Alabama, here are some key points to think about before moving to Alabama or any new city:

Weather in Alabama 

Alabama has a wonderful and moderate climate, with average temperatures around 18 °C annually. Summers can get hot, up to 38 °C, but Gulf winds help cool things down. Meanwhile, during winters, it is milder, with the average temperature here being around 9 °C, with occasional frosts and some snow in the north.  

It remains a bit cooler in the north, around 16 °C, and warmer in the south, about  19 °C. Rainfall Alabama is about 56 inches yearly.This kind of amazing weather in Alabama makes it an amazing place to live. 

Jobs in Alabama

Numerous jobs are available in Alabama, and various networking opportunities help job seekers. The average salary after tax in Alabama is around USD 3845, which allows people to manage the cost of living in Alabama and live leisurely.

Alabama is famous for

Earlier, Alabama was known as “The Cotton State.” Now, it could be called The Peanut State and celebrate the annual National Peanut Festival. Which is an amazing thing to watch.

Also Read:

Cost of Living in Seoul: A Comprehensive Guide on Seoul’s Expense	Cost of Living in Newcastle Upon Tyne: An Expense Guide
Cost of Living in Minnesota: Expected Expenses Guide	Cost of Living in Canberra: A Comprehensive Guide
Cost of Living in Albania: A Guide on Albania’s Expense	Cost of Living in Manhattan: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Living in Newcastle: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Nashville: A Guide on Expected Expenses

FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Alabama. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.