Alabama vs California
California comes out ahead of Alabama on 471 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 327 with 8 ties. Alabama leads on Travel, Infrastructure & Energy and Agriculture. California leads on Health, Culture and Education and 10 more categories.
806 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 8 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 327
- Avg. percentile
- 42
- Categories led
- 3
- Wins
- 471
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 13
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Alabama | California |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,223,121 24th of 51 | 39,345,844 1st of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $63,999 46th of 51 | $99,122 6th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 2.9% 5th of 51 | 5.5% 50th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 15.6% 45th of 51 | 12.0% 29th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 88.8 7th of 51 | 110.7 51st of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $52,216 48th of 51 | $63,028 13th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $57,500 46th of 51 | $80,690 5th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $1,007 9th of 51 | $2,036 51st of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 348.3 33rd of 51 | 432.7 44th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,669 7th of 48 | 2,814 9th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthCalifornia · 187 statistics
- CultureCalifornia · 77 statistics
- EducationCalifornia · 51 statistics
- Tech & BusinessCalifornia · 47 statistics
- TravelAlabama · 29 statistics
- Facts & TriviaCalifornia · 17 statistics
- GeographyCalifornia · 25 statistics
- Crime & SafetyCalifornia · 76 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyAlabama · 36 statistics
- SportsCalifornia · 16 statistics
- PopulationCalifornia · 125 statistics
- LawCalifornia · 69 statistics
- EconomicsCalifornia · 293 statistics
- EnvironmentCalifornia · 40 statistics
- AgricultureAlabama · 17 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentCalifornia · 125 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Alabama | California |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean WageSonographer Salary by State | $60,240 51st of 51 | $114,480 1st of 51 |
| Hourly Mean WageSonographer Salary by State | $28.96 51st of 51 | $55.04 1st of 51 |
| LPN Annual MedianNurses Pay by State | $103,830 51st of 51 | $164,050 1st of 51 |
| LPN Hourly MedianNurses Pay by State | $49.92 51st of 51 | $78.87 1st of 51 |
| RN Annual MedianNurses Pay by State | $65,900 51st of 51 | $133,990 1st of 51 |
| RN Hourly MedianNurses Pay by State | $31.68 51st of 51 | $64.42 1st of 51 |
| Affordability RankQuality of Life by State | 1st 1st of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Annual Median WageSonographer Salary by State | $62,400 51st of 51 | $107,270 2nd of 51 |
| Average Cost for Basic Life SupportAmbulance Cost by State | $1,266 1st of 51 | $1,854 50th of 51 |
| Avg Annual SalaryDental Hygienists Salary by State | $51,130 51st of 51 | $108,200 2nd of 51 |
| Avg Hourly WageDental Hygienists Salary by State | $24.58 51st of 51 | $52.02 2nd of 51 |
| Hourly Median WageSonographer Salary by State | $30.00 51st of 51 | $51.57 2nd of 51 |
| LPN Annual MeanNurses Pay by State | $110,020 50th of 51 | $161,540 1st of 51 |
| LPN Hourly MeanNurses Pay by State | $52.89 50th of 51 | $77.66 1st of 51 |
| Maximum Annual SalaryIBEW Pay Scale by State | $62,500 50th of 51 | $182,500 1st of 51 |
| RN Annual MeanNurses Pay by State | $71,370 50th of 51 | $137,690 1st of 51 |
| RN Hourly MeanNurses Pay by State | $34.31 50th of 51 | $66.20 1st of 51 |
| Affordabillity (WalletHub)Best States to Live In | 2nd 2nd of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Car Sales Tax RateCar Sales Tax by State | 2% 1st of 45 | 7.25% 44th of 45 |
| Total ScoreBest States for Hiking | 2 tied last of 50 | 95 1st of 50 |
| Annual Mean WageNurse Salary by State | $66,910 49th of 51 | $133,340 1st of 51 |
| Annual Median WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $91,580 49th of 51 | $142,520 1st of 51 |
| Cigarette Use Past MonthDrug Use by State | 22.6% 50th of 51 | 9.96% 2nd of 51 |
| Hourly Mean WageNurse Salary by State | $32.17 49th of 51 | $64.10 1st of 51 |
| Hourly Median WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $44.03 49th of 51 | $68.52 1st of 51 |
| AccessibilityBest States for Hiking | 3 tied 47th of 50 | 9 1st of 50 |
| Mental Health Substance Abuse - HourlySocial Worker Salary by State | $19.15 2nd of 50 | $39.10 49th of 50 |
| Mental Health Substance Abuse - YearlySocial Worker Salary by State | $39,830 2nd of 50 | $81,330 49th of 50 |
| Median Annual WageClinical Psychologist Salary by State | $59,610 49th of 49 | $120,520 3rd of 49 |
| Experience RatingBest States for Hiking | 1.9 tied 46th of 50 | 9.1 1st of 50 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Alabama or California?
- California comes out ahead of Alabama on 471 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 327 with 8 ties. Alabama leads on Travel, Infrastructure & Energy and Agriculture. California leads on Health, Culture and Education and 10 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Alabama or California?
- Alabama has a population of 5,223,121 (24th of 51 US states) and California has 39,345,844 (1st of 51).
- How do Alabama and California compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Alabama $63,999 (46th of 51), California $99,122 (6th of 51) among US states. California ranks better.
- How do Alabama and California compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Alabama 2.9% (5th of 51), California 5.5% (50th of 51) among US states. Alabama ranks better.
- Where does Alabama beat California most clearly?
- Alabama ranks far ahead on Affordability Rank (Quality of Life by State): 1st vs 50th; Average Cost for Basic Life Support (Ambulance Cost by State): $1,266 vs $1,854; Affordabillity (WalletHub) (Best States to Live In): 2nd vs 50th.
- Where does California beat Alabama most clearly?
- California ranks far ahead on Annual Mean Wage (Sonographer Salary by State): $114,480 vs $60,240; Hourly Mean Wage (Sonographer Salary by State): $55.04 vs $28.96; LPN Annual Median (Nurses Pay by State): $164,050 vs $103,830.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Alabama or California.
- Alabama vs Alaska
- Alabama vs Arizona
- Alabama vs Arkansas
- Alabama vs Colorado
- Alabama vs Connecticut
- Alabama vs Delaware
- Alabama vs District of Columbia
- Alabama vs Florida
- Alaska vs California
- Arizona vs California
- Arkansas vs California
- California vs Colorado
- California vs Connecticut
- California vs Delaware
- California vs District of Columbia
- California vs Florida