Pros and Cons of Living in Alabama

Relocating is always a bit of a risk. The unknowns can be scary and overwhelming. While those concerns can’t be eliminated through research, they can help you find the best place to call home sweet home. From white sandy beaches to rustic mountain retreats, the Southeastern United States can’t be overlooked as a region to consider, thanks to its low cost of living and plethora of attractions. History has defined the Southern states in unfavorable terms, but the states below the Mason-Dixon Line are evolving and becoming some of the most popular destinations for relocation. 

Alabama is at the center of the south, bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Mississippi to the west, and Florida to the south. It is at the crossroads of past meets present, where centuries-long traditions are still alive and well, and modern life complexities are taking root. 

This is a breakdown of some of the factors to consider when relocating and how Alabama meets those criteria. Proud natives are quick to assert their positive biases toward “Sweet Home Alabama.” This article provides a comprehensive look at the good, the bad, and the necessary before making a life-changing decision. 

Geography and Climate

Pros:

1. Beautiful Natural Landscapes: Alabama’s northeastern corner is an outdoorsman’s delight. The base of the Appalachian Mountains offers hiking, exquisite fall foliage, and a crisp retreat to cooler temperatures during summer’s high heat. Rolling hills and plains transversed by dozens of rivers and lakes throughout the state offer havens for water activities and untouched stunning vistas. Alabama’s southern border is the Gulf of Mexico, featuring soft white sandy beaches and warm turquoise gulf waters. The beaches are frequently named among the best in the country.
2. Mild Winters: Winter starts in January and ends in February. The short season rarely features more than a few weeks of temperatures near freezing. The northern areas of the state usually see one to two light snowfalls each year, but most of the state does not experience any winter weather during the season.

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Cons:

1. Summer Heat: Alabama’s heat and humidity are brutal. Summer starts heating up well before the calendar changes season. Temperatures in May typically reach into the 80s. In June, July, August, and even early September, expect the temps to hover in the high 80s/90s most days. Extreme humidity compounds the heat to make the days unpleasant and dangerous. 
2. Severe Storms: Alabama has some of the most volatile weather in the country. Tornadoes are frequent and dangerous during the spring and fall months. Halfway through 2024, the National Weather Service confirmed that more than 40 tornadoes touched down across the state. Tornadoes aren’t the only concern. Severe storms bring flooding, hail, and strong winds. Hurricanes are a concern for Gulf Coast towns, and those systems can travel inland, also causing destruction.
3. Insects and Wildlife: Don’t go outside in the summer without bug spray. Mosquitos, ticks, wasps, and yellow jackets are prolific and  are around for most of the year. Veterinarians encourage dog owners to give flea and tick treatments year-round because the insects don’t die off during the winter since the temperatures don’t drop enough. Bears are only found in the northern mountainous areas of the state, but smaller wildlife like coyotes, wild turkeys, and deer can be found throughout, causing problems for drivers and pet owners.
4. Seasonal Allergies: A thick coat of yellow on cars, porches, and sidewalks is a sign of spring in Alabama. Pollen might as well be its own season. In addition to just being gross to clean up, pollen from various grasses and trees in bloom from March through early fall can cause severe allergies for some people. 

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Economy

Pros: 

1. Low Cost of Living: A 2024 study found that Alabama’s cost of living is 12% lower than the national average. That impacts key expenses like homes, utilities, and gasoline prices. In August 2024, the average house cost $232,000, more than $100,000 lower than the national average. Drivers also enjoy breaks at the pump, where prices are typically 30-40 cents cheaper than in other states.
2. Job Growth: Alabama consistently adds jobs across various sectors, particularly healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. In July 2024, the state notched a slight unemployment decline and added 7,100 jobs. It was 6th in the nation for non-farm payroll gains in the past year. From 2022-2023, the Birmingham metro area had the 5th highest employment growth in the nation.
3. Booming Technology Business: Alabama has become a hub for technology businesses, as many relocate from pricey areas like Silicon Valley. The Huntsville area is a prime example, thanks to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. It has basically become a town full of rocket scientists. Defense contracting is also a big business in the area. 
4. Manufacturing: From Mercedes to Honda, the automobile industry is big in Alabama. As of 2023, the state had five factories cranking out roughly 1.3 million vehicles a year, making it the third-largest producer of automobiles in the country. 
5. Summer Tourism: Alabama might not sound like a vacation destination to many, but the state’s pristine beaches bring thousands of tourists to the area every summer. Mild fall temperatures often stretch the beach season well into October. 

Cons:

1. Income Disparity: While Alabama boasts a low cost of living, that does not mean everyone is thriving. Alabama is among the bottom eight in the nation for income, with the state average $20,000 below the national average. In 2022, more than 16% of people in the state lived below the poverty line. 
2. Out-of-Date Technology: At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 3.3 million people in Alabama did not have the minimum broadband speeds at their homes to power video streaming. Thanks to a $500 million investment from the state into broadband infrastructure, progress has been made, but rural areas are still lagging behind. 
3. Rundown Roads and Bridges: In 2022, Alabama was given a C- for the conditions of its infrastructure, which is consistent with the rest of the country. Bridges, drinking water, and wastewater are areas in desperate need of improvement. Road expansion projects are ongoing to help with traffic issues in the larger cities.
4. Not Much Public Transportation: You need to have a car in Alabama. Aside from buses in most cities, there is no public transportation in the state. As the largest city, Birmingham is limited to buses and taxis for people who don’t drive. 
5. High Taxes: Alabama has one of the highest state income taxes for individuals and businesses in the Southwest. Because of the 6.5% corporate income tax, luring in businesses continues to be an issue despite companies being allowed to deduct their federal taxes from their state taxes. Individuals and families are also taxed on every dollar earned, and the state has made no changes in recent years to cut the percentage of taxes. By the end of the decade, Alabama could have the highest taxes in the Southeast. 

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Culture

Pros:

1. Premier Sports: Roll Tide! That’s a phrase even known abroad. The University of Alabama’s football program has been one of the most successful in the history of the sport, and the team’s recent run at national championships has cemented it as one of the best and most well-known. Racing is one of Alabama’s premier attractions. NASCAR’s Talladega Motor Speedway is located about an hour outside Birmingham and brings thousands of fans to the area for races twice a year. 
2. Longstanding Traditions: Alabamians take pride in the state’s numerous festivals and traditions dating back hundreds of years. Mardi Gras might be most famous in New Orleans, but it originated in the U.S. in Mobile in 1703. The city’s streets come to life each year with colorful parades and boisterous parties. Revelers from all over the world take in the port city’s unique mix of old meets new charm during the celebrations. Dozens of agricultural festivals are held each year across the state, but arguably the most well-known is the National Peanut Festival in Dothan, which celebrates peanut farmers across the country. 
3. Cuisine: Ah, southern food. A plate full of fried goodness from chicken to okra to pickles. If it can be battered in flour and buttermilk, an Alabamian has fried it! Traditional “meat and three” restaurants specializing in southern fare like collard greens, pie, and sweet tea are easy to find, but Alabama’s vast food scene has made it a destination for tourists in the past decade. Birmingham, in particular, is home to dozens of award-winning restaurants. By 2022, seven chefs and restaurants in Birmingham had been honored with the prestigious James Beard Awards, known as the Oscars of the culinary world. 
4. Historic Landmarks: While the Southern U.S. is a focal point for some of the worst moments in the country’s past, history buffs will enjoy visiting locations throughout Alabama that help tell the stories of eras like the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. The capital of the Confederacy was Montgomery. The Little White House of the Confederacy is a museum now, allowing visitors to step into a different time. There are also Civil War battleground sites and Native American mounds throughout the state. 

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Cons:

1. Lack of Diversity: According to the 2020 U.S. census, Alabama’s population is more than 60% white. In some rural counties, that figure jumps to higher than 90%. This lack of diversity, especially in areas outside of larger cities, could make relocating difficult for minorities and non-English speakers.
2. Exclusive Policies: Politics in Alabama leans heavily conservative. Most voters are pro-life, Second Amendment supporters, and against big government. The state continues to lag in creating an environment hospitable to immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. However, large cities are much more tolerant than rural towns. In 2024, Alabama’s governor signed a bill protecting reproductive rights after a ruling by the state’s Supreme Court caused fertility clinics to shut down operations. 
3. High Crime Rate: Crime is a major problem for Alabama. According to 2024 data, it is the 7th most dangerous state in the country. While the state ranks high nationwide for assaults and homicides per capita, most crimes are property crimes committed around Birmingham. 

Education and Healthcare

Pros:

1. World Renown Research Hospital: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is one of the premier research hospitals in the country. It is ranked in the top 50 out of nearly 5,000 hospitals, achieving high ratings in treating various cancers, heart conditions, and neurological disorders. Many people from all over the state and southeast travel to Birmingham for treatment by a UAB specialist. 
2. Higher education: Alabama has two flagship public universities: The University of Alabama and Auburn University. Both rank in the top 200 of the best higher education institutions in the country. 
3. State-funded Pre-K: Alabama’s state-funded “First Class Pre-K” program has been ranked as one of the highest state pre-kindergarten programs in the country for nearly 20 years. All 4-year-olds are eligible to attend preschool at no cost, regardless of their family’s income.

Cons:

1. Low Education Rating: Alabama is ranked as one of the worst states in the country for education. In 2024, U.S. News and World Report ranked it 45 out of 50 states. Test scores are consistently among the lowest. 
2. College Not Covered: Alabama does not have astate-funded lottery, nor does it participate in national drawings like Powerball and Mega Millions, so it cannot take advantage of extra funds for education programs like many other states. There is no state program providing would-be college students with free tuition. 
3. Rural Areas with Close Hospitals: Alabama has 54 rural counties, and only two of those have an adequate number of doctors, and seven are without a hospital. All those counties have a dental shortage, and three counties don’t have any practicing dentists. The lack of medical professionals in these areas has lowered the life expectancy by up to nine years in some areas. 
4. Not Many Reproductive Specialists: Abortion and reproductive healthcare have been hot political issues in the state long before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Abortion is illegal in the state unless necessary to save the life of the mother. Women seeking infertility treatments have very few options, with only a few clinics in the larger cities. 

Conclusion

Alabama is a state with plenty of flaws but a lot of promise. With its low cost of living and increasing big city amenities, it offers newcomers a chance to experience an area on the rise. Some things like the hot weather, severe storms, and natural beauty won’t change, but as technology advances and cultural homogeneity declines, the state should continue to evolve from its Old South days.